Do you know "emergency contraception" (after pill)?
It is a drug to prevent unintended pregnancy, and the country is considering whether to make it available at pharmacies without a prescription.
From today, "Public Comment" to seek opinions from the public has started.
What is emergency contraception?
What are your concerns?
I will tell you in detail.
Q. How long can I use contraception?
What are the side effects?
A.According to the package insert of the medicine, if you take it within 72 hours of sexual intercourse, there is a 80% chance of preventing pregnancy.
However, it does not completely prevent pregnancy and is not effective if you are already pregnant.
Side effects include irregular bleeding, headache, and malaise, but according to the World Health Organization (WHO), there are no serious side effects.
《Details of effects and prices are introduced in this article》
Q.When do you use it?
A. For example, there are cases where the partner did not cooperate with contraception during sexual intercourse, failed contraception such as a broken condom, or was sexually assaulted.
It is used to prevent unintended pregnancy and is not used for planned contraception.
Q. What are you considering now?
A. Currently, in order to obtain it in Japan, it is necessary to visit an obstetrics and gynecology department and obtain a prescription (online medical treatment has been lifted since 2019).
Discussions are also underway on whether or not to make it available at pharmacies without a doctor's prescription, as well as issues and countermeasures in such a case.
The government also considered it in 2017, but at that time it was shelved due to various concerns.
《Click here for an article that explains the history of past considerations》
There is also a cautious opinion on the sales method
When you hear that it will be possible to buy it without a prescription, you may have an image of picking it up from the shelf at your local drug store, but there are several steps.
When medical drugs that require a prescription are treated as over-the-counter drugs, first of all, they are drugs that are sold by pharmacists who provide drug information and guidance on how to take them face-to-face.
Normally, after three years from here, it will be a mechanism to shift to "over-the-counter drugs" that anyone can pick up and buy, and Internet sales will also be possible.
However, regarding this case, the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists is cautious about making it an "over-the-counter drug" as follows.
Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists : If
emergency contraceptives become over-the-counter drugs and can be purchased by anyone at pharmacies or on the Internet, there is a risk that they will be abused for sexual crimes and sexual violence. We are most concerned about the spread of inappropriate use, such as using it for a specific purpose.”
Opinions are divided in questionnaires for doctors
Last year, according to an emergency survey conducted by the Japan Association of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 7.8% agreed, 46.9% conditionally agreed, and 42% opposed to making it possible to buy without a prescription.
(5571 respondents, obstetricians and gynecologists, as of October 7, 2021)
Many of the opinions of doctors who responded with conditional approval were calls for the following responses.
・Enhancement of sex education
・Prohibition of selling multiple tablets (selling only one dose)・
People who answered that they were concerned about “no prescription” while
selling and taking medication guidance by trained pharmacists
In addition to the opposing doctors, there were also a certain number of supporting doctors.
That percentage is about 90% of the total.
There were many concerns about
the possibility of resale, the possibility of
an increase in the risk of sexually transmitted diseases due to the decline in condom use, and the possibility of an
increase in the number of men who do not cooperate with contraception
.
In the free comments in the questionnaire, there were cases such as a case where a working woman prepared a large amount of medicine at a sex shop and gave it to a working woman, and a case where her husband did not cooperate with contraception and asked for a prescription for two days in a row. There was also an opinion that it might overlook problems that cannot be solved just by doing it.
(From an emergency questionnaire survey on OTC emergency contraceptives)
Young people who feel that the hurdle is high
The use of emergency contraceptives with which important issues are intertwined.
There is a youth group that continues to actively advocate for the country.
In October this year, we conveyed our thoughts at an opinion exchange meeting with the heads of relevant ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, and bipartisan lawmakers.
One of the participants, Ms. Momoka Inari, who is in her first year as a member of society.
She has seen and heard cases of anxiety about unintended pregnancies, and she feels that this is a pressing issue for the younger generation.
(Mr. Inari, JOICFP SRHR Youth Alliance)
“It takes courage just to go to the obstetrics and gynecology department and tell the doctor about the situation. I also
feel
that the fact that it is difficult to see a doctor during open hours is a high hurdle.
It's not something I feel guilty about, but I want to share with people of the same generation that I have the right to access."
raise your voice
Another participant in the exchange of opinions was Hinano Gunji, a graduate student.
When the government conducted a similar review five years ago, I also gave my opinion to the public comment.
At this time, it was shelved as "premature", but Mr. Gunji says that he intends to give his opinion again this time.
(Mr. Gunji, JOICFP SRHR Youth Alliance)
“Looking at the results of the previous round, I felt that things were not going to change anytime soon. I don't think it's a thing.It may be said that we are so conscious, but I think it is important to deliver our voices
."Emergency contraceptive pills prevent unintended pregnancies.
Public comment is open until January 31, 2023 on whether to allow over-the-counter purchases at pharmacies.
Click here for public comment site on emergency contraception