Marcia McBean (right), senior medical representative at Medimpex Jamaica Ltd., marketing company for the emergency contraceptive Postinor 2, explains its use to National Family Planning Board (NFPB) executive director, Dr. Olivia McDonald (centre), and NFPB director of outreach, Janet Davis, at a press briefing to announce the reclassification of the drug as non-prescriptive at the Knutsford Court Hotel, St. Andrew on Tuesday. - Michael Sloley /Freelance Photographer JAMAICAN CONSUMERS will now be able to obtain the popular 'morning after' pill, Postinor 2, directly from their pharmacist, without the need for a doctor's prescription.
The pill, which is effective in preventing pregnancies when taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, was reclassified in May, when it was gazetted under the Pharmacy Act and the Food and Drug Act and placed in a category that allows it to be dispensed by a pharmacist after direct counselling with the consumer.
At a media briefing Tuesday to announce the reclassification at the Knutsford Court Hotel, St. Andrew, National Family Planning Board (NFPB) officials cited the necessity, as a huge step to preventing unwanted pregnancies.
Postinor 2 lowers the risk of pregnancy by about 85 per cent, if used correctly.
"It is the only contraceptive that can be used after sexual intercourse," said NFPB executive director, Dr. Olivia McDonald. "Expanding access is a major policy initiative towards the reduction of unplanned pregnancies."
She said that problems with the old method included that the requirement of a prescription was actively harming women by prolonging access to the drug.
Postinor, which is not a substitute for regular contraceptives, is distributed locally by Medimpex Jamaica Limited. It works for eight out of 10 people who use it correctly and is also used if persons have missed two or more regular contraceptive pills, forgot to get the contraceptive injection on time or were forced to have unprotected sex.
NOT AN ABORTION PILL
"It is not an abortion pill," said Marcia McBean, senior medical representative at Medimpex. In fact, she said, it cannot induce abortion and only prevents pregnancy by stopping or delaying the release of an egg from the ovary, preventing the sperm from getting to the egg and stopping a fertilised egg from attaching itself to the womb.
Pharmacists islandwide will be completely brought up to date with the product in detail, Mrs. McBean said. They will also evaluate each patient for suitability and correct dosage.
Postinor 2 has been available in the commercial market as a prescription item for a number of years, and the reclassification of the drug is one strategy of the Ministry of Health in its National Strategic Framework for Reproductive Health 2002-2005, aimed at reducing the incidence of unplanned pregnancies among Jamaican women. The step is important in the Government's efforts to reduce barriers to accessing emergency contraceptives and to widen the range of contraceptive choices available.
