Japan approves over-the-counter sale of emergency contraceptive pill

Japan’s health ministry has approved the over-the-counter (OTC) sale of the emergency contraceptive pill Norlevo, marking the first time such a drug can be purchased without a prescription in the country.

The pill, manufactured by Aska Pharmaceutical Co., is expected to become available as early as this fiscal year, according to a person familiar with the matter.

Norlevo is effective in preventing pregnancy in about 80 percent of cases when taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse.

Under the new policy, there will be no age restrictions and no requirement for parental consent. However, for safety reasons, purchasers will be required to take the pill in front of a trained pharmacist.

Aska Pharmaceutical applied for OTC approval in June 2024, part of ongoing efforts to expand women’s access to reproductive health options in Japan.

The decision is seen as a significant step forward in the country’s reproductive health policy, where access to emergency contraception has long been limited compared to many other developed nations.