Emergency Contraceptive To Be Sold Without Prescription

TOKYO, Sep 01 (News On Japan) - Norlevo, a morning-after pill, won support from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's expert committee on August 29 for non-prescription sales, aiming to reduce unintended pregnancies.

If approved by Health, Labour and Welfare Minister Fukuoka, it would become Japan's first over-the-counter emergency contraceptive.

Emergency contraceptives are considered to prevent roughly 80% of pregnancies when taken within 72 hours after intercourse, but they currently require a physician's prescription in Japan.

To assess whether non-prescription sales are appropriate, pilot sales have been conducted at selected pharmacies since the year before last. Based on those trials, the committee endorsed over-the-counter sales of Norlevo on August 29.

Under the approved framework, parental consent will not be required and there will be no age restriction, but pharmacists must sell the drug in person and require the customer to take it on the spot. The ministry plans to review the sales method after a certain period.

Source: TBS

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