Japan gives permission to purchase contraceptive pills without doctor’s prescription to females

Japan has officially authorized the sale of an over-the-counter contraceptive pill, the drug’s manufacturer announced on Monday marking the first time the traditionally conservative nation has approved “morning-after” medication for use without a doctor’s prescription.

Advocacy groups have repeatedly condemned the fact that, until now, Japanese women could only obtain emergency contraception by first securing a doctor’s prescription and then visiting a clinic or pharmacy in person.

Activists argue this process discourages many women especially sexual assault survivors and teenagers from seeking help.

On Monday, pharmaceutical company ASKA Pharmaceutical stated in a press release that it had “obtained manufacturing and marketing approval” for its non-prescription contraceptive product, Norlevo.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper, there will be no age-based restrictions for purchasing the pill, and buyers won’t need “parental consent”.

However, it will be classified as “medicine requiring guidance”, which means women must take it under a pharmacist’s supervision.

The emergency contraceptive is effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after intercourse, though its effectiveness decreases over time.

Talks about making it prescription-free began in 2017 through a panel under the health ministry.

The recent approval comes after a limited trial program launched two years ago that involved just 145 pharmacies representing less than 0.2% of all pharmacies in Japan.

During the pilot phase, which occurred in 2023, the cost ranged from 7,000 to 9,000 yen ($47 to $60).

Currently, the morning-after pill can already be obtained without a prescription in more than 90 countries worldwide.