Emergency Contraception Approved for Over the Counter Purchase

May 22, 2008

On May 15, 2008, the National Association of Pharmacy Regulatory Authorities (NAPRA) approved Plan B (also known as Levonorgestrel or Emergency Contraception) to be sold in Canada as a schedule III drug.

This means that pharmacies in all provinces (with the exception of Quebec) can sell Plan B over the counter from now on. There may be a short delay, as some pharmacies may not want to sell Plan B over the counter in the current packaging. New packaging is currently being created. This decision marks an important breakdown of the barriers many women have faced in trying to purchase Plan B, as they will no longer have to consult a pharmacist. However, because Plan B is sold in pharmacies, those who wish to have a consultation with a pharmacist are still able to do so.

CFSH applauds this schedule change and promotes obtaining emergency contraception in advance of need. CFSH further supports the change of status of emergency contraceptive pills, specifically Plan B, to ‘Off-schedule’, available at any retail outlet, in order to improve accessibility. CFSH continues to support increased public awareness and education of emergency contraception, including Plan B, in the discussion of the full ranges of contraceptives available.