In 1996, the year ICEC was founded, only a handful of countries had a "dedicated" Emergency Contraception (EC) product on the market.

Now women in over 140 countries can buy emergency contraception - sometimes known as the morning after pill - and in 60 countries, EC is readily available over the counter.

ICEC and its member organizations have played a key role in introducing EC in a wide range of settings. Still, women's access to EC is far from assured, and our mission remains critical: to expand access to EC worldwide, with a focus on developing countries.

ICEC Compiles Resources on EC in Refugee and Crisis Settings 

ICEC has compiled a list of resources that will help those working in crisis settings to provide EC and other essential components of reproductive health and post-rape care. Please go here for a list of websites, tools, journal articles and fact sheets.

 

 

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EC News
New Commentary in the journal Contraception
04 May 2012
Dr. Bimla Schwarz and ICEC coordinator Elizabeth Westley recently published a commentary in Contraception entitled "Emergency Contraception: Global Challenges, New Opportunities." In it they review current low rates of knowledge and use in developing countries, opposition to EC access, and regulatory and policy barriers. Click here to read the full commentary.

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Spanish MOH considers reverting EC to prescription-only
16 April 2012

Emergency contraception (EC) is currently available behind the counter (BTC) in Spain, meaning an individual has to request EC from a pharmacist but can do so without a prescription. However, the Spanish government is considering whether to revert to making EC available by prescription only, a move that will severely restrict access for many women. 

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Study shows that 1 in 5 US Pharmacies Hinders Teens' Access to EC
30 March 2012
A recent study published in the journal Pediatrics found that 1 out of 5 pharmacies in the United States would deny selling EC to 17 year-old-girls under any circumstances  simply because of their age. This is despite the fact that in the US, 17-year-olds can legally purchase EC without a prescription, though prescriptions are still required for girls 16 and younger.  Please click here to read more about this study.

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EC Access in the US to Remain "Behind the Counter"
08 December 2011
On December 7th, the United States Food and Drug Administration rejected a request from the manufacturer to make one brand of EC pills, Plan B, available fully over the counter with no prescription required for any age group. Currently, EC is available from pharmacies with no prescription for women 17 and older, but women under 17 must first obtain a prescription from a health care provider. Because of this unusual dual status, EC pills are currently kept behind the counter so that pharmacists may check ID for the buyer's age. For now, this situation will remain the same.

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