"Expanding knowledge and access
to emergency contraception"
"Expanding knowledge and access to emergency contraception in Europe"
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…
April 2025. The United Nations Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-Agency Group (MMEIG) and technical experts published a new round of estimates covering 2000 to 2023. The estimates represent the most up to date, internationally comparable global, regional and country-level estimates and trends for maternal mortality between 2000 and 2023. Some key facts: Find the Full Report…
April 2025. Health authorities in England announced that emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) will be available for free from pharmacies. Currently ECPs are provided for free in National Health Service (NHS) units. However, when procured directly from the pharmacy, the price may vary extensively from one pharmacy, neighborhood or town, to another, creating significant disparities. According…
March 2025. Emergency contraceptive (EC) pills with a low dose of mifepristone (10 to 25 mg), have been available in a few countries for many years, including Armenia, Russia, China, Moldova, Ukraine and Vietnam. In 2023, however, the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation approved a list of drugs and active ingredients that are…
March 2025. In the United Kingdom, Bpas releases the 2nd edition of “Contraception, Re-Imagined: The Unfinished Revolution”. This report uncovers significant barriers to contraceptive access, growing dissatisfaction with existing options, and a rising demand for non-hormonal alternatives. The report is based on a survey of 1,000 women aged 18-45. Some of the findings are: Bpas…
March 2025. According to the Taipei Times, emergency contraceptive (EC) pills will remain prescription products in Taiwan, for the time being. The national Food and Drug Administartion (FDA) convened a wide consultation on March 7 to discuss reclassifying EC pills to make them available without a doctor’s prescription. The Ministry of Education, the Department of…
March 2025. A new article describes uses of ulipristal acetate (UPA) beyond emergency contraception: Uses of ulipristal acetate beyond emergency contraception: a narrative review (Ebersole, Ashley M. et al. Contraception). The review describes the extensive potential for UPA to treat and/or prevent conditions such as fibroids, breast cancer, and abnormal uterine bleeding, in addition to other…
February 2025. The Federal Centre for Health Education (BZgA) just published the English edition of the CONTRACEPTIVE BEHAVIOUR OF ADULTS 2023 report. This nationwide, representative repeat survey, examines contraceptive knowledge and behavior among sexually active population aged 18 to 49. This survey allows to observe and identify trends in contraceptive use over the years. Condoms…
Understanding how EC pills work, including how they work when used repeatedly, is important to avoid overestimating their effectiveness and to advise women on how to best use them.
January 2025. The findings of a proof-of-concept study investigating use of ulipristal acetate (UPA) as part of an abortion regimen, have been published this week. UPA is the active ingredient in the newer generation of emergency contraception (EC) pills. The publication of this research may open a global debate about the development of new indications…
January 2025. In December 2024, Maltese Health Authorities proposed including EC pills in the National Formulary, as part of the 2nd National Sexual Health Strategy 2025-2030. According to the Minister of Health, the strategy is based on comprehensive research conducted in 2022 and 2023, and is part of the national ongoing efforts to promote sexual…
January 2025. A study by the Federal University of Minas Gerais (Belo Horizonte) aimed to estimate use of emergency contraception (EC) among Brazilian adolescent students, as well as the association of individual, family, and community factors with use. A cross-sectional study was carried out, including 38,779 Brazilian adolescent students, aged 13 to 17 years, participating…
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