By 
16-10-2024
Stella Liantsi
South and East Asia Researcher,
Global Human Rights Defence.
Recently, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) was reported to be considering recommending the restriction of the over-the-counter sales of morning-after or emergency contraception pills (ECP).
The argument put up for the over-the-counter sales prohibition was the irrational use of the pill and the possible health issues that it causes to women. It is argued that getting a prescription from a doctor will protect women’s health and prevent issues brought on by the needless use of emergency contraception.
The CDSCO’s recommendation seems to be contrary to the World Health Care Organisation’s (WHO) suggestions for self-care interventions which recommend that ECPs should be made accessible over-the-counter without a prescription. Over-the-counter availability eliminates the need to see a healthcare worker, increases access and lessens prejudice because it doesn’t involve a third party (spouse, parent or partner). It is worth noting that 112 countries allow over-the-counter sales of ECPs showing the worldwide tendency.
In addition, according to the United Nations Populations Fund’s State of the World Population Report 2022, the leading cause of maternal mortality in India was unsafe abortion. Nearly eight women die from causes related to unsafe abortions each day, and between 2007 and 2011, 67 percent of abortions in India were classified as unsafe. Further, the report also showed that marginalised and disadvantaged women were disproportionately affected and people reported that during their efforts to access abortion care, they encountered discrimination and stigma. Moreover, ethnographic research conducted in Dehradun found that over-the-counter access promotes autonomy and privacy while facilitating access to contraceptive care for women from a variety of socioeconomic backgrounds. In India, only 9.5 percent of women use condoms and many married women are likely to find it difficult to discuss condom use with their partners. The emergency pill therefore enables them to protect themselves and avoid the time-consuming procedures of making an appointment, as well as the shame that they might feel when going to the doctor to get a prescription.
Sources and further readings:
Bindu Shajan Perappadan, ‘Emergency contraceptive pills need no prescription: Drug regulator’ The Hindu ( 13 October 2024) < https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/no-proposal-to-move-the-ecp-drugs-from-non-prescription-to-prescription-category-cdsco-clarifies/article68746216.ece > Accessed 15 October 2024.
Christianez Ratna Kiruba, ‘Why Over-The-Counter Emergency Contraceptives Must Stay’ NIVARANA ( 8 October 2024) < https://nivarana.org/singleBlogDetails/Why-Over-The-Counter-Emergency-Contraceptives-Must-Stay-6704ef82e9e36> Accessed 15 October 2024.
Shaibya Saldanha, Sylvia Karpagam, ‘India’s move to restrict morning after pills could backfire on women’s health and autonomy’ FRONTLINE ( 12 October 2024) < https://frontline.thehindu.com/the-nation/public-health/abortions-reproductive-health-emergency-contraception-pill-ban-womens-rights-who-pregnancy-otc-pill-female-condoms/article68743819.ece?cx_testId=26&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=0#cxrecs_s > Accessed 15 October 2024.
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