Repeated use of EC pills: What to know?
Understanding how EC pills work, including how they work when used repeatedly, is important to avoid overestimating their effectiveness and to advise women on how to best use them.
Ulipristal acetate: understanding its uses for EC and beyond
January 2025. The findings of a proof-of-concept study investigating use of ulipristal acetate (UPA) as part of an abortion regimen, have been published this week. UPA is the active ingredient in the newer generation of emergency contraception (EC) pills. The publication of this research may open a global debate about the development of new indications…
Malta: EC pills to be included in National Formulary
January 2025. In December 2024, Maltese Health Authorities proposed including EC pills in the National Formulary, as part of the 2nd National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2030. According to the Minister of Health, the strategy is based on comprehensive research conducted in 2022 and 2023, and is part of the national ongoing efforts to promote sexual…
Brasil: Use of EC pills among adolescent students
January 2025. A study by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Belo Horizonte) aimed to estimate use of emergency contraception (EC) among Brazilian adolescent students, as well as the association of individual, family, and community factors with use. A cross-sectional study was carried out, including 38,779 Brazilian adolescent students, aged 13 to 17 years, participating…
UPA medicine for uterine fibroids remains available in a number of Latin American and CIS countries
December 2024. The marketing authorisation for Esmya was withdrawn in July from the European Economic Area and Belarus, Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, at the request of the marketing-authorisation holder. (See announcement on the European’s Medicines Agency’s website here). The withdrawal was due to commercial reasons and there is no change in the safety…
Argentina: New data on EC use and access
November 2024. The Study Lucía: Uses and preferences of contraceptive methods in women aged 15 to 49 years in Argentina, was recently published. This quantitative and qualitative research has consulted 2,000 women and people identifyin as LGTB from all over the nation. The study findings, published in September 2024, include valuable information about access to…
Poland: Increased use of EC pills trough pharmacy prescription.
November 2024. More than 11,000 prescriptions for emergency contraceptive (EC) pills have been issued since the introduction, last May, of the pilot program “Pharmaceutical Prescription Regulation for Emergency Contraception” (see https://www.ec-ec.org/poland-pilot-program-for-pharmacy-prescribing-of-ecps/). Sales of emergency contraception showed marked increases, according to the Supreme Chamber of Pharmacy: “Analysing market data from the implemented pilot, we observe a…
India: ECPs to remain prescription-free
October 2024. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) clarified that emergency contraception pills (ECPs) will remain accessible without prescription in India, and that misinterpretations have led to confusion about prescription requirements for certain hormonal contraceptives. Read more here. In past few weeks, some news reported that a ban on over-the-counter sales of ECPs was…
Concerns over repeat use of emergency contraception pills
October 2024. According to local news, in India the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is considering recommending a ban on over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs). The reason suggested for the ban is that what is considered “ an irrational and excessive use” of the ECPs might lead to health complications for women,…
Spain: New data on use of emergency contraception
September 2024. In Spain, almost 40% of women of reproductive age report having used emergency contraception pills (ECPs) at least once in their lifetime. Ever use of ECPs is more frequent among women 25 to 39 years of age, and particularly in the age range of 30 to 34, which is also the population with…
The cost of EC pills in Central and Eastern Europe.
September 2024. ASTRA Network (www.astra.org.pl) and the European Consortium for Emergency Contraception presented their latest research findings at the 15th FIAPAC Conference 2024, which was held in Brussels on September 20-21. This collaborative research looked into the cost of emergency contraception pills (ECPs) in select European countries. Our findings show significant disparities across the region,…
Self-care interventions: guidance for health systems.
July 2024. The World Health Organization (WHO)/HRP just published Implementation of self-care interventions for health and well-being: guidance for health systems. Aimed at those around the world implementing self-care interventions, the publication reviews WHO’s six health systems building blocks, and looks at the implementation considerations necessary for each. Several country case studies are also included….
