Japan has for the first time approved over-the-counter sales of an emergency contraceptive pill, allowing women to take the medication without a prescription. ASKA Pharmaceutical, the manufacturer, expressed that this move will empower Japanese women in terms of reproductive health.
The emergency contraceptive pill will be categorized as medicine requiring guidance, meaning that women must take it in the presence of a pharmacist. Although the launch date for the pill has yet to be announced, it is a significant step toward increasing access to reproductive health options.
This is a notable change, as the morning-after pill is already readily available without prescription in over 90 countries. Japan's conservative view on such issues has long been influenced by traditional patriarchal perspectives.
ASKA Pharmaceutical stated that they have obtained marketing authorization to switch Norlevo to over-the-counter use, with no age restrictions or parental consent required for purchase, as reported by the Mainichi Shimbun.
The company initiated the process for regulatory approval in 2024 following earlier trial sales of the pill in 2023, which were initially restricted to clinics and pharmacies, requiring a doctor’s examination and prescription.
Advocates for women's rights have criticized the previous restrictions on access, asserting that they hindered younger women and victims of sexual assault from obtaining emergency contraception. Previous public consultations on this issue indicated overwhelming public support for increased availability.
Despite earlier discussions around easing access since a health ministry panel deliberated on it in 2017, officials were hesitant, fearing excessive usage of the morning-after pill. The efficacy of Norlevo, which is based on the generic levonorgestrel, is optimized within 72 hours post-unprotected intercourse, boasting an efficacy rate of 80%.
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