Swiss Parliament discusses simplifying access to emergency contraception

May 2026. The Swiss House of Representatives has voted in favor of easing access to emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) by removing the mandatory pharmacist counselling requirement . The motion, adopted on 30 April would make access to ECPs less restrictive and bring Switzerland closer to practices in most other European countries. The proposal will now move to the Senate for further consideration. The reform would also reclassify ECPs into a lower dispensing category, potentially allowing them to be sold in drugstores in addition to pharmacies.

Background

• ECPs are available without prescription in Switzerland: levonorgestrel (LNG) products since 2002, and ulipristal acetate (UPA) since 2015.
• Current regulations require pharmacy staff to conduct a formal counselling session and complete a questionnaire before dispensing ECPs. Digital tools and apps have been developed and piloted to support privacy and confidentiality in the counselling process.
• According to ECEC data, in Europe mandatory pharmacy counselling prior to ECP purchase only exists in Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

• WHO strongly recommends making ECPs available without a prescription. A 2021 systematic review found limited evidence on preferences regarding ECP provision. Available data suggest that most women support prescription-free access because it offers greater privacy and autonomy. However, some women value “behind-the-counter” models that still allow interaction with a health worker.
• Blended delivery models offering multiple access options may best accommodate different user preferences, particularly in settings where more than one EC regimen is directly available.

• In 2024, the Pharmaceutical Care Research Group at the University of Basel assessed customer satisfaction with EC counselling in 195 Swiss pharmacies. Counselling was reported to improve reassurance and knowledge about EC. However, around one quarter of women reported concerns about lack of privacy or indiscretion before seeking EC from a pharmacy. More information is available here: Assessment of pharmacy EC counselling in Switzerland.

Read more about the Motion to simplify access to emergency contraception from the Federal Assembly website.