The Hindu : National : Nod for counter sale of emergency contraceptives

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 01, 2005

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National

Nod for counter sale of emergency contraceptives

Special Correspondent

Manufacturing companies informed of decision

NEW DELHI: The Drugs Controller of India has approved the sale of "Emergency Contraceptives" across the counter from Wednesday. These contraceptives were not available without a prescription until now.

Sources in the Drugs Controller of India said no official notification was required for this, but the manufacturing companies have been informed about the decision.

Emergency contraceptives are useful in the case of "forced sex," failure of normal contraceptives or unplanned sex.

"If a woman forgets to take her regular contraceptive pills for two days, emergency contraceptives are useful in such cases also," said Sudha Tewari, managing director of the Parivar Seva Sanstha, a non-governmental organisation working in the reproductive health sector.

The emergency contraceptives come in the form of pills and intra-uterine devices (IUDs). While the first dose of tablets is to be taken within 72 hours of having sex, the second dose is to be taken in the next 12 hours. These come under the generic names of "No-preg" and "72-pills." In case a woman throws up the first tablet, she is given another or the pill is accompanied with anti-vomiting medicine. In the case of intra-uterine device, it prevents unwanted pregnancy if implanted within five days, Ms. Tewari said.

Ms. Tewari said the sale of emergency contraceptives is allowed in many countries across the world.

Ms. Tewari said a majority of Indian women have no control over their reproductive functions. This situation needs to be corrected

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