Historically, the Yuzpe method of emergency contraception (EC) was the only available method in the Maltese Islands (Malta and Gozo). Dedicated EC products were neither imported into Malta nor manufactured in the country.
Following a judicial protest filed in June 2016 by the Women’s Rights Foundation requesting access to EC, on 17 October 2016, the Malta Medicines Authority announced the approval of the sale of EC pills without prescription in order to ensure the quality, safety, and efficacy of the treatment. As of December 2016, dedicated UPA and LNG EC products are available in Malta.
Sexual & reproductive health background information
| Female population aged 15-49 | Mean age at first sexual intercourse | Mean age at birth of first child | Total fertility rate | % use of modern contraceptive methods | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Estimate | 99,0001 | 19.22 | 26.93 | 1.54 | 67.3%5 |
| Year | 2010 | 2007 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
Accessibility & prescription status
Oral formulations of LNG and UPA EC are available in Malta as of December 2016.6 LNG and UPA EC pills are available behind the counter from pharmacies, although LNG EC pills are also placed on counter display units in a few pharmacies.7
Cost Guidelines & common practices
| Type of EC | Approximate Cost | Brand(s) Available |
|---|---|---|
| LNG | € 17 | Escapelle 1500mcg |
| LNG | € 19,90 | Levonelle 1500mcg |
| UPA | € 37,94 | ellaOne 30mg |
Guidelines & common practices
In December 2016 the Malta Medicines Authority published Guidance for Pharmacists on the Safe Supply of Non-Prescription Ulipristal Acetate 30mg (ellaOne®) for Emergency Hormonal Contraception.
Sources
1 United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision. New York, 2011.
2 Mifsud M, Buttigieg G, Savona-Ventura C, Delicata S. Reproductive health in Malta. Eur J Contracep Repr 2009;14(4):249-257.
3 United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Statistical Division Database. Mean Age of Women at Birth of First Child by Country and Year. Updated 23 November 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2013, from http://w3.unece.org/pxweb/dialog/varval.asp?ma=04_GEFHAge1stChild_r&path=../database/STAT/30-GE/02-Families_households/&lang=1&ti=Mean+age+of+women+at+birth+of+first+child.
4 European health for all database (HFA-DB), World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe. Total fertility rate. Retrieved 18 June 2013, from http://data.euro.who.int/hfadb/.
5 Savona-Ventura C. Contraception use in Malta. Malta Medical Journal 2012;2:27-29.
6 Malta Medicines Authority. Retrieved 30 March 2017, from http://www.medicinesauthority.gov.mt/.
7 Access to emergency contraception through community pharmacies in Europe: Findings from a participatory survey. (2021). Retrieved 26 January 2022, from https://www.ec-ec.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/ECECYouAct_EC_survey_report-_2021FINALII.pdf. Page.11
Last update: January 2022
Previous update: February 2019
