Ireland: EC pills to be provided free of cost without prescription at the pharmacy, to medical card holders

  February 2019. In December 2018 the Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme (SHCPP) of the Irish Health Service (HSE), launched a national campaign in partnership with the Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), with the aim to increase public awareness that EC is available to women directly from a pharmacist up to five days (and not only ” the morning…

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New international guidance on EC pills

January 2019. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) and the International Consortium for Emergency Contraception (ICEC), launch the 4th edition of “Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Medical and Service Delivery Guidance”. The guidance is designed to serve as a key reference and training document for service provision. It includes a range of medical and service delivery…

In the UK: mandatory consultation with pharmacist to buy EC, put into question

  January  2019 –  In the United Kingdom, the charity British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) published Pharmacy provision of emergency contraception: A mystery shopper study. A consultation with the pharmacist prior to purchasing EC is still mandatory in the UK, as it is considered an important opportunity to give a woman information about all her contraception…

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EC included in new WHO contraception Apps  

December 2018. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently launched two new Apps for healthcare providers advising women on contraception. The “Humanitarian settings contraception” App, is intended for front-line health care providers to help women initiate contraception in humanitarian and emergency settings. More information here. The “WHO MEC” App, will facilitate the task of family planning…

Europe fails on contraception

September 30, 2018. Access to a full range of contraceptive options is a basic right.  Still, providing universal access to modern, effective and affordable contraception, in order to make sure people have choices over their reproductive lives, is not a public policy priority and remains a challenge in most European countries. Limited Access: Europe’s Contraception Deficit….

World Contraception Day 2018

September 26, 2018. It is World Contraception Day (WCD) again; a day to reflect on and raise  awareness of all contraceptive methods and enable young people to make informed choices on their sexual and reproductive health. ECEC works to make emergency contraception more equally available in Europe.  Postcoital contraception provides a second chance to prevent pregnancy after…

Andorra: EC pills to be sold without prescription 

June 6, 2018. The Ministry of Health of Andorra announced today that, upon review of the current provision policies for emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs), pharmacists have been informed that prescription requirements have been lifted. Andorra currently has both LNG and UPA ECP products in the market. The safety profile of ECPs, the critical importance of facilitating…

Bosnia i Herzegovina: new EC counselling tool

June 1, 2018. Partnership for Public Health translates into local language in Bosnia i Herzegovina and pre-tests the EC wheel. This work was conducted in collaboration with the Family Physician Association of the Federation of Bosnia i Herzegovina, and the Family Physician Association of Republika Srpska, and with support from UNFPA.The local version of the wheel was produced in June…

Contraception Atlas 2018

April 11, 2018. The European Parliamentary Forum on Population & Development (EPF) launches the Contraception Atlas 2018. In this second edition, the Atlas tracks government policies on a) access to contraceptive methods, b) family planning counselling and c) provision of online information on contraception, in 46 European states. Belgium, France and the United Kingdom rank…

New IPPF Statement on EC

March 20th, 2018. The International Medical Advisory Panel (IMAP) of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), just published its new Statement on emergency contraception (EC). This document offers guidance for health care providers to strengthen the provision of EC services according to the latest research, experiences and international recommendations. While the Statement is primarily intended to inform IPPF Member Associations, it also provides…