India: ECPs will 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,…

The cost of EC pills in Central and Eastern Europe.

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.

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….

England: Pharmacy bodies call for EC to be commissioned nationally

England: Pharmacy bodies call for EC to be commissioned nationally

July 2024. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), the Company Chemists’ Association, the National Pharmacy Association and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare are calling for the next government to commission a national Emergency Hormonal Contraception (EHC) service from community pharmacies in England, similar to current arrangements in Scotland and Wales. Theses organizations demand a National Emergency…

USA: EC prescription increase in Massachusetts retail pharmacies 

July 2024. In Massachusetts, a standing order policy was introduced in August 2022, to remove barriers to contraceptive prescription. The standing order allows pharmacists to prescribe ulipristal acetate ECPs (which are prescription-only in the US) and LNG ECPs (which are OTC). A study, by Qato et al., aimed at evaluating the association of this policy…

RHSC: 2023 Social Marketing Statistics Report

RHSC: 2023 Social Marketing Statistics Report

July 2024. The Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC) just published the Contraceptive Social Marketing Statistics Report 2023. The report (which to date has been published by DKT) aggregates last year’s sales data for contraceptives and safe abortion supplies of Social Marketing programs in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) worldwide. Regarding emergency contraception, over 39 million…

USA: Decline in EC use after Dobbs decision, in some states.

July 2024. In the United States of America, a recent study observed an important decline in emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) dispensing a year after the Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, especially in states with more restrictive abortion policies. The Dobbs decision devolved regulations and competencies on abortion procedures to the states, eliminating the…

Germany: Court ruling on EC dispensing

Germany: Court ruling on EC dispensing

June 2024. In Germany, the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court ruled that a pharmacist cannot refuse dispensing emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) because of his or her beliefs or “conscience”. The Berlin Pharmacist Chamber had initiated a process against a pharmacist who systematically refused to stock and dispense ECPs in his pharmacy because he believed ECPs could…

Spain: New report on access to contraception

Spain: New report on access to contraception

June 2024. The Spanish Family Planning Federation (SEDRA) just published an assessment of contraception accessibility in the 17 regions (Comunidades Autónomas) that conform Spain. Access to emergency contraception (EC) is included, in particular, free-of-cost provision and quality of the information provided to EC users regarding mechanism of action and subsequent use of contraception after EC. …