Japan approves trial sales of over-the-counter emergency contraceptives

Justin McCurry in Tokyo
Updated Tue, 27 June 2023 

Photograph: Philippe Huguen/AFP/Getty Images

Japan is to permit the sale of emergency contraceptives without prescription on a trial basis, weeks after it approved the abortion pill.

The move, reported by media on Tuesday, will bring Japan into line with dozens of other countries where the morning-after pill is already available over the counter.

Current rules require women, including those who have been sexually assaulted, to attend a clinic or hospital for an emergency contraceptive prescription.

The drugs are said to be most effective if they are taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex.

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A health ministry panel approved the sale through March next year at chemists staffed by qualified pharmacists who are able to coordinate with nearby obstetrics and gynaecology clinics, according to the Kyodo news agency.

The decision to allow over-the-counter sales marks a major policy shift, and comes soon after its approved the abortion pill in April. Previously, only surgical abortions were available, in the first nine weeks of pregnancy.

Campaigners say the long wait for Japan to approve the abortion pill, which had long been available in more than 70 other countries, reflects the low priority the country’s male-dominated parliament and medical community give to women’s sexual health.

Japan took 40 years to approve oral contraceptives, in 1999, but only six months to approve the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra.

Emergency contraceptives, which have an efficacy rate of about 80%, are available without a prescription in about 90 other countries, according to the ministry.

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The trial sale enjoys strong public support. When a health ministry panel invited the public to submit comments last year, more than 90% of the 46,312 responses were in favour of pharmacy sales, the public broadcaster NHK said.

In 2017, the panel stopped short of approving over-the-counter sales amid fears that the drugs’ easy availability could encourage “irresponsible” behaviour.

But medical professionals have called for the drugs to be made more accessible, saying they would increase options for rape survivors and potentially reduce the number of expensive surgical abortions.