Move marks a major shift in Japan’s reproductive health policy, ending years of debate over access to emergency contraception
BY FRANCESCA RAPISARDA
Japan has approved the over-the-counter sale of an emergency contraceptive pill for the first time, its manufacturer ASKA Pharmaceutical announced on Monday.
The pill, marketed under the brand name Norlevo, will allow women to access emergency contraception without a doctor’s prescription. A date for its release has not yet been confirmed.
The product will be classified as a “medicine requiring guidance,” meaning that women must take it in the presence of a pharmacist. There will be no age restrictions or requirement for parental consent, according to the Mainichi Shimbun newspaper.
ASKA Pharmaceutical said the approval “will empower Japanese women in the area of reproductive health.” The company obtained marketing authorisation for over-the-counter sales after filing for regulatory approval in 2024, following limited trial sales at 145 pharmacies the previous year.
Until now, emergency contraceptive pills in Japan could only be obtained after a medical consultation and prescription. During the 2023 trial, rights groups criticised the small scale of the program and called for wider access.
The “morning-after” pill, already available without prescription in more than 90 countries, works by preventing an egg from developing or attaching to the uterus. It is most effective within 72 hours of unprotected sex and has an efficacy rate of around 80%.
Discussions about making the pill available over the counter began in 2017. Public consultations showed strong support for the change, but health officials delayed approval, citing concerns over potential misuse.
Japan’s decision marks a significant shift in reproductive healthcare policy in a country where conservative views have historically slowed approval of women’s health products.
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