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Government has approved the sale of Emergency Contraception Pills (ECP) across the counter in the country. Announcing this while releasing a report of the National Consensus on Expanding Access to Emergency Contraception here today, the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss said that lot of unwanted pregnancies and abortions could be avoided through the use of these pills. Earlier, the ECPs were available only under medical prescription. Now these could be purchased by the people from the pharmacists in their locality.
World over, there are millions of unintended and unwanted pregnancies. Many of these end in unsafe abortions, while others are carried on the term and contribute to the ever-increasing population burden, especially in developing countries like India. Surveys have shown that three major reasons for unplanned pregnancies are women’s failure to use a contraceptive method, failure to use a method correctly and their unawareness about emergency contraception.
Emergency Contraception (EC) provides a safe and effective ‘second chance’ method to prevent pregnancy occurring after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure, which can help in reducing the maternal morbidity and mortality arising out of unsafe abortions, and unwanted pregnancies.
Giving further details, Dr. Suneeta Mittal, Head of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said that tests have shown that after use of EC pills, 70 per cent have their menstrual cycle on time and 20 per cent a week before. In a few cases, there may be delay by a few days. She ruled out any excessive bleeding. The cost of the pill will be Rs.30-35 per tablet and the Ministry has indicated that efforts are on to reduce the cost.
The Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Mr. P.K. Hota said that the EC pills will be available as part of the social marketing products of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
For expanding the access, Government proposes to follow the ABC approach of Advocacy, Building Capacity and Creating Awareness.
EK/BKS/MK
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