Taiwan explores adopting the Japanese (temporary) model of access to EC pills
May 2025. The discussions on reclassifying emergency contraceptive (EC) pills to be available over the counter (OTC) continues in Taiwan. Taiwan’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering implementing a pilot program for pharmacy EC dispensing, similar to the one implemented in Japan.
Under the Japanese trial, women above 16 can obtain EC pills without a prescription only from authorized pharmacies, and provided the medication is taken under pharmacist supervision and followed by a gynecological consultation within three weeks.
The Taiwan’s FDA convened a public consultation to gather input from healthcare professionals, women’s rights organizations, and other stakeholders. According to the Taipei Times, there is broad consensus on the need to improve access to EC pills, but opinions diverge on the appropriate distribution methods.
Currently, ECPs in Taiwan are classified as prescription-only medications, with unauthorized sales subject to fines. The FDA’s proposal aims to amend existing regulations to facilitate a controlled OTC trial, pending approval from the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s Human Research Ethics Review Board.
