Until the beginning of 2015, Germany was one of the few countries in Europe where the “morning-after pill” was only available by prescription – although the “Expert Committee on Prescription”, which advises the Federal Ministry of Health, had been campaigning for its release from prescription requirements since 2003. In addition, proponents of prescription-free dispensing by pharmacists included Pro Familia and the German Society for Gynecology and Obstetrics (DGGG); the Professional Association of Gynecologists (BVF), on the other hand, opposed prescription-free dispensing.
Morning-after pill triggers debate
Opponents fear that the now easier access could lead to neglect of long-term contraception. Proponents, on the other hand, point to figures from neighboring countries such as England, France, Sweden, and Switzerland, where the “morning-after pill” has been available without a prescription for some time, without any decline in the use of other, “normal” contraceptives.
Another argument against over-the-counter dispensing is that it eliminates the need for medical advice and that many women may then take the preparation unnecessarily. This is countered by the fact that the “morning-after pill” is not to be dispensed completely without counseling, only that the counseling is then carried out by pharmacists. And when it comes to clarifying whether or not post-contraception is now appropriate, both the doctor and the pharmacist will have to rely on the assessment of the woman concerned.
Morning-after pill on prescription or not?
In addition, the morning-after pill is more effective the earlier it is taken – if the visit to the doctor is omitted (often a time-consuming undertaking, especially on weekends), timely intake is more likely to be guaranteed. Proponents also see over-the-counter dispensing of the morning-after pill as a way to reduce the increasing number of abortions among teenagers.
It also makes it easier for women in very rural areas or for whom seeing a doctor is an insurmountable barrier to access emergency contraception. Experience in Sweden supports this argument – where the number of abortions actually declined with over-the-counter dispensing of the morning-after pill.
Morning-after pill as emergency contraception
Over-the-counter or not, the morning-after pill is emergency contraception and should be viewed and used exactly as such. If it is taken more than once in the menstrual cycle, there will be severe bleeding problems and the cycle will get completely out of whack. Moreover, its effectiveness decreases if it is taken frequently in a row. If you are often faced with the problem of having to resort to the “morning-after pill”, you should urgently contact your gynecologist for advice on the possibilities of effective long-term contraception that is suitable for you.
