Soon, get contraceptive pills without doctor’s letter

The move came after a petition on jhatkaa.org went viral and got a whopping 2000 signatories. S Abdul Khader, Drug Controller, Tamil Nadu, who spoke to DT Next, maintained that there was no ban on emergency contraceptive pills ((ECP), though the petition had pointed out that it was on moral grounds. 

He says, “There was no ban on the pill and it is being sold only when there is a valid prescription. After the petition, garnered signatures, we thought we could take it up with the centre.” Over years now, there have been several reports on the non-availability of ECPs at pharmacies. Women often face a tough time finding one. 

Filmmaker Vaishnavi Sundar, whose blog on the ordeal she went through while trying to buy ECPs went viral, decided to take up the same as a petition on jhatkaa.org. 

She says, “Prescription or 

not, ECPs are not being sold in Tamil Nadu. These are morning-after-pills and there is a time frame involved. How can they go about looking for a gynaecologist to prescribe it and then consume it?  It defeats the whole purpose of the pill. If this is being taken up by the drug controller, it is great news.” 

Emergency contraception can prevent most pregnancies when taken after intercourse, within a stipulated time of 72 hours. Vaishnavi added that moving the pill from schedule H to Schedule K would ensure the reproductive rights of women. 

However, Dr Nithiya Ramamurthy, senior gynaecologist, Fortis Malar Hospital, said that making ECPs available over the counter would be harmful for women. “What if someone using it has migraine, in which case ECPs could lead to a harmful reaction? It is always better to consume these pills under a doctor’s supervision. ECPs are very different from birth control pills and cannot be consumed indiscriminately. Moreover, these are not fool proof; one can consume them and still get pregnant,” she says.