Morning-after pills to remain OTC, but with ‘Tobacco-style’ health warnings

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has announced that morning-after contraceptive pills will continue to be sold over-the-counter (OTC) in India, but with mandatory warning labels. These warnings, printed in regional languages and accessible via QR codes, caution against overuse and clarify that the pills do not protect against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections.

Hyderabad: Morning-after contraceptive pills for women will continue to remain available Over-the-Counter (OTC) in medical shops, however, they will now come with clear warnings, just like those on tobacco products, about the ill effects on health if they are abused.

In the coming weeks, the morning-after pills will come printed with clear warnings such as ‘Do not take this medicine more than twice a month’ and ‘It does not offer any protection against HIV or other sexually transmitted infections’, urging users to consult a doctor for long-term alternatives.

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Such a move to mandate clear warnings about the negative impact of abusing morning-after contraceptives is being seen by sector experts as a compromise reached by the regulatory authorities.

In the past year or so, health advocacy groups have been demanding that such contraceptive pills be sold only through prescription from doctors.

Responding to such demands, the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO), a few days ago, made it clear that such contraceptive mechanisms will continue to remain available OTC, but with clear warnings.

To ensure women from all regions of India understand these warnings, the CDSCO has also directed manufacturers to make them available in regional languages.

It is mandatory for manufacturers of morning-after contraceptive pills to include a QR code on every pack. Scanning this code will then display these critical warnings in major regional languages, ensuring women across the country are able to access consumer safety.

Morning-after pills have been designed for emergency use only and are not meant for routine contraception. Taking high doses of such hormones is usually related to unpredictable and significant changes in the menstrual cycle.

In fact, overuse or taking these medications multiple times in one cycle could make the pill less reliable. According to CDSCO, such warnings are to urge individuals to seek consistent and more effective and safe methods of contraception.