Pharmacist: Pill move will be ‘relief’ for many
The morning-after pill, NorLevo, is now available over the counter from pharmacists throughout the country following a decision by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB).
Ciara McCabe, a pharmacist with McCabe Pharmacy, said the announcement was great news for consumers who now had easier and faster access to cheaper emergency contraception.
“They will still have the reassurance of expert advice from pharmacists but now they have a choice in terms of how they wish to avail of the medication. For many women this will be a huge relief,” she said.
The drug is one of two emergency contraception pills licensed for use in Ireland. One pharmacy chain said NorLevo that could be made given to girls as young as 16 years, could be available for about €10.
The Irish College of General Practitioners declined to comment on the development, while the Irish Pharmacy Union has described it as a landmark decision for women.
NorLevo has been available as a prescription-only medicine in Ireland since 2006.
The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA), said making the emergency contraception pill available over the counter in all pharmacies would speed up access to this important intervention for women and girls.
It said Ireland was one of 18 European countries in which emergency contraception was available over the counter.
“Research studies from around the world have consistently found that improved access to the emergency contraceptive pill does not result in an increase in unprotected sex or a decrease in regular contraceptive use,” said IFPA medical director Dr Caitriona Henchion.
Choice Ireland, a voluntary group seeking to insure women are free to make reproductive choices, welcomed the move.
“This is a victory, not only in the campaign to prevent crisis pregnancies, but for the fundamental right of women to the tools they need to make their own reproductive choices,” said spokes-woman Sinéad Ahern.
Meanwhile, the IMB confirmed yesterday that it has told the Boots pharmacy chain it had been breaking the law by making the morning- after pill available without prescription the past month.
Boots began supplying the drug, Levonelle, over the counter under what were described as “patient group directions” in January.
“The position of the IMB, as the regulatory authority, is that the supply of prescription only medicines under patient group directions is unlawful,” the board stated yesterday.
Boots said yesterday it remained confident that its interpretation of the law was correct.
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