Geneva: Difference between revisions

'''Important Notes:''' Emergency contraception may prevent pregnancy for three days (72 hours) and sometimes five days (120 hours) after unprotected sex. Take EC '''as soon as possible''' after unprotected sex to prevent pregnancy. If you don't have access to dedicated EC, oral contraceptives can be used as replacement EC, but remember the following: 1) Only some contraceptives work as EC 2) Different contraceptives require different dosages and time schedules to work as EC 3) You must only use the first 21 pills in 28-day packs and 4) They may be less effective than dedicated EC. For general information on emergency contraceptives, click [https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/morning-after-pill-emergency-contraception here] and [http://ec.princeton.edu/info/ecp.html here].

In Switzerland, emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) are available over-the-counter at pharmacies. No prescription is required, and there are no age restrictions on who can purchase the pills.<ref name="icec_switzerland">[https://www.cecinfo.org/country-by-country-information/status-availability-database/countries/switzerland/ EC Status and Availability - Switzerland]</ref> For a few years, ellaOne was available at pharmacies by prescription-only, but it has been available over-the-counter at pharmacies since November 2015.<ref name="ecec_switzerland">[http://www.ec-ec.org/emergency-contraception-in-europe/country-by-country-information-2/switzerland/ ECEC - Switzerland]</ref>

 

There are national policies and guidelines regarding emergency contraception. In 2014, a paper was published by a team of gynecologists, pharmacies, and family planning center health workers. The paper outlines three forms of acceptable emergency contraception, according to the team, which include: levonorgestrel EC pills, ulipristal acetate EC pills, and copper IUDs. The paper is available in [http://www.ec-ec.org/custom-content/uploads/2014/04/PositionspapierNK_M%C3%A4rz14_de_def.pdf German] and [http://www.ec-ec.org/custom-content/uploads/2014/04/Prise_de_Position_CU_fr_def.pdf French]. Furthermore, in 2016, the Interdisciplinary Group of Experts on EC (IENK) developed a set of tools for pharmacists, which included a decision making chart, protocols to how to handle a missed pill, a guide for how to refer women to health services, and more.<ref name="ecec_switzerland" /> You can read these guidelines in [https://www.sante-sexuelle.ch/fr/nos-activites/acces-pour-tous/contraception-durgence/ienk/ French].

* You can find emergency contraceptive pills (morning after pills) at pharmacies, and they are sold over-the-counter. Some brands you may find are NorLevo 1.5mg and ellaOne.<ref name="icec_switzerland" />

* The price of emergency contraceptive pills may depend on your age. In some cantons, you can purchase LNG pills, like NorLevo, for around  € 12  if you are under 20 years old or for around  € 20 if you are over 20 years.<ref name="ecec_switzerland" />

* There are 26 cantons in Switzerland, and reimbursement laws around emergency contraception vary by canton. In some cantons, LNG pills are partially reimbursed if you obtain them at special family planning centers.<ref name="ecec_switzerland" />