Pill may soon be sold over the counter
THE contraceptive Pill could soon be sold over the counter without a prescription.
A move to make two brands available without written authorisation is under consultation, the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced yesterday.
The drugs companies involved have applied for their progestogen-only contraceptive Pill to be reclassified from prescription to pharmacy products. The move, which is the first of its kind, would allow over-thecounter sale under the supervision of a qualified pharmacist.
Drugs company Maxwellia is keen to make its Lovima contraceptive prescription-free and HRA Pharma wants the same for its Hana brand.
It has been welcomed by consumer healthcare association PAGB, which described the move as a ‘landmark opportunity in women’s health’.
Chief executive Michelle Riddalls said: ‘We fully support these reclassification applications. Switching products from prescription-only to make them available over the counter, once their safety and efficacy has been rigorously assessed and established, is a positive step.
‘It enables people to self-care where appropriate, minimising inconvenience and protecting NHS resources such as GP appointments for those who need them most.’
She added: ‘The applications by Maxwellia and HRA Pharma have particular significance as they are the first to seek over-the-counter licences for any form of daily contraceptive Pill, 60 years after the Pill in its original form was made available via prescription on the NHS for married women only.
‘The MHRA consultation represents a landmark opportunity in women’s health.’
A qualified pharmacist would oversee any sale. The MHRA said that for under 18s, and especially those under 16, who wanted the Pill, it remained ‘essential to establish that the girl is not being exploited or abused’.
The MHRA is seeking the public’s views on whether the products should be a pharmacy medicine.
Dr Sarah Branch, of the MHRA, said: ‘Every response received will help us gain a better picture of whether people think the contraceptive Pill with desogestrel should be available over the counter.’
If the move goes ahead, the Pills will still be available on prescription from GPs and sexual health clinics.