Sarajevo: Difference between revisions

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, you can purchase condoms and oral contraceptives (birth control pills) at pharmacies without a prescription.<ref>[http://ocsotc.org/wp-content/uploads/worldmap/worldmap.html Global Oral Contraception Availability]</ref> <ref>[http://freethepill.org/where-on-earth/ Free the Pill: Where on Earth?]</ref> However, for other forms of birth control, such as implants, injectables, and IUDs, you may need to directly visit a hospital or clinic to obtain them.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available in pharmacies.<ref name="icec_bosnia">[https://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/bosnia-and-herzegovina/  EC Status and Availability - Bosnia and Herzegovina]</ref> While a prescription is technically required by law, we have found anecdotal evidence that suggests that pharmacists often sell ECPs without requiring a prescription.<ref name="ecec_bosnia">[http://www.ec-ec.org/emergency-contraception-in-europe/country-by-country-information-2/bosnia-and-herzegovina-updated-as-of-june-2015/ ECEC - Bosnia and Herzegovina]</ref> However, we still need to confirm whether these laws are commonly followed by some pharmacists (if you know, update this page).<ref name="icec_bosnia" />

The lowest cadre of health workers that are allowed to dispense emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are gynecologists.<ref name="ecec_bosnia" />

It is estimated that about 62% of women (ages 15-49) in the country have knowledge of emergency contraceptive pills, as of 2011-2012.<ref name="ecec_bosnia" />

* Emergency contraceptive pills are available. While a prescription is technically required, you may be able to purchase them over-the-counter at some pharmacies (since not all pharmacists seem to observe the law<ref>[http://www.ec-ec.org/emergency-contraception-in-europe/country-by-country-information-2/bosnia-and-herzegovina-updated-as-of-june-2015/ ECEC - Bosnia and Herzegovina]</ref> ... but we're still researching this topic). You can find emergency contraceptive pills at pharmacies, clinics, or programs affiliated with the International Planned Parenthood Foundation. Some brands you may find are NorLevo 1.5mg, Vikela, and ellaOne.<ref name="ecec_bosnia" />

* The cost of emergency contraceptive pills in Bosnia and Herzegovina may depend on which entity of the country you're in. For example, in you're in the republic of Srpska, emergency contraceptive pills may be fully reimbursed by social security (if you have social security coverage). However, in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, you'll probably need to pay the full price out of pocket, since the pills are not covered by social security.<ref name="ecec_bosnia" />

* For LNG type of pills (such as Vikela), you can expect to pay around € 15 to € 23, as of 2015. For UPA pills (such as ellaOne), you can expect to pay around € 20 to € 30, as of 2015.<ref name="icec_bosnia" /> <ref name="ecec_bosnia" />

===Testing Facilities===

===Support====

* [http://www.asocijacijaxy.org/ Association XY]: "Association XY is a non-governmental, non-political, non-profitable organization which works to improve sexual and reproductive health (SRH) in Bosnia and Herzegovina." Call: +387 33 260-615. Email: bhfpa.xy@bih.net.ba