AUTHORITIES in Great Britain have launched a public consultation on making oral contraceptives available over the counter in pharmacies without prescription.
The consultation affects two progestogen-only contraceptive pills containing desogestrel: Lovima 75 microgram and Hana 75 microgram film-coated tablets, both indicated for continuous use to prevent pregnancy in those of childbearing age.
The pills are currently licensed as prescription-only medicines.
"We are asking the public and stakeholders for their views on whether these two products should become a pharmacy medicine and available over the counter, without a medical prescription," the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said.
"Pharmacists are trained healthcare professionals...if these two products are reclassified, pharmacists will have access to training materials and a checklist to enable them to identify women who can be supplied this medicine safely," the agency said.
The consultation follows advice from the UK Commission on Human Medicines which says it is safe for the oral contraceptives to be made available as Pharmacy (P) medicines.
Contraceptive pills containing destrogel will also continue to be available on prescription from GPs and sexual health clinics in the UK.
MHRA Director of Vigilance and Risk Management of Medicines, Sarah Branch, said "we hope to hear from as many people and women's groups as possible," with every response received helping gain a better picture of whether the public believes the contraceptive pill with desogestrel should be available over the counter.
The consultations are open until 05 Mar, with the product sponsors proposing to provide optional pharmacy training materials giving details to pharmacists on the safe use of the items.
An accompanying Pharmacy Consultation Checklist will be available for pharmacists to help check the suitability of the contraceptives for a particular patient based on her age, current or past medical conditions, other medicines being taken, criteria for excluding pregnancy and use following emergency hormonal contraception.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 16 Feb 21
To see the full newsletter, see the embedded issue below or CLICK HERE to download Pharmacy Daily from 16 Feb 21
