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Morning after pill contraception sold over the counter in Irish pharmacies

Emergency contraceptive pill now available in Irish pharmacies

MOLLY MULDOON,

IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:23 AM

Updated Thursday, February 17, 2011, 7:23 AM

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The morning after pill is officially on sale in pharmacies in Ireland

The morning after pill can now be purchased without prescription from all pharmacies in Ireland, after the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) approved licensing a brand of emergency contraception for use as an over-the-counter medicine.

IMB had recently informed the Boots pharmacy chain that it was breaking the law by making the morning after pill available without prescription. Boots began supplying customers with the drug in what they described as “patient group directions” in January, but the board has just said that no provision for this operation in Irish legislation.

“The position of the IMB, as the regulatory authority, is that the supply of prescription-only medicines under patient group directions is unlawful,” it said.

Following this, news emerged yesterday that the manufacturers of NorLevo, which is a brand licensed for use in Ireland, lodged an application last month to have its drug made available over the counter after witnessing the demand for non-prescription emergency contraception in Boots.

Their application was accepted and now NorLevo can be sold over the counter in pharmacies. The drug can be bought for as little as €9.99 ($13.50).

The Irish Pharmaceutical Society (IPU) has welcomed the move. Kathy Maher, a Meath-based pharmacist and member of the IPU's Executive Committee said, “Women in Ireland will now have prompt access to Emergency Hormonal Contraception.

“Community pharmacists are health care professionals with the skills and competence to dispense this medicine to patients, where appropriate and to provide relevant advice. Patient safety and personal sensitivity are paramount,” she told RTE News.

“As a profession we are committed and capable of delivering appropriate care for our patients.”

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JOHNTOBIN | Feb 17, 2011, 06:21 PM EST

More fortunes to be made for the drug companies.

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VictorClaveau | Feb 17, 2011, 01:27 PM EST

"Patient safety and personal sensitivity are paramount" What they don't tell you about are the side effects of this drug. In the U.S. levonorgestrel in in the FDA's Category X, which means that it is proven to cause birth defects. 750mg is a very high dosage. Usual dosage between 15-20mg. Other side effects of Norlevo® may include gastro-intestinal disturbances, changes in appetite or weight, fluid retention, oedema, acne, melasma or chloasma, allergic skin reactions, urticaria, mental depression, breast changes including discomfort or less frequently gynaecomastia, changes in libido, hair loss or hirsutism, fatigue, drowsiness or insomnia, fever, headache, premenstrual syndrome –like symptoms, and altered menstrual cycles or irregular menstrual bleeding. Anaphylaxis (exaggerated allergic reaction) or Anaphylactoid (anaphylactic shock) reactions may occur less frequently. Alterations in liver function tests have been reported and jaundice has been reported less frequently, during prolonged levonorgestrel administration. Buyer beware.

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STUMPTOWN | Feb 17, 2011, 11:00 AM EST

If a unmarried female had sex, this would be needed within hours. For thoes males that disagree, what would you do if you where the unmarried female?

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antoman | Feb 17, 2011, 08:38 AM EST

After an exquisite earth shattering night,the male can produce these pills and hand them to his new conquest in the morning saying "take two of these love and you'll be right as rain". :)

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