Japan approves OTC Norlevo pill for women
Japan authorized nonprescription sales of emergency contraceptive pills for the first time after manufacturer ASKA Pharmaceutical received regulatory approval on Monday. The company obtained marketing authorization to sell Norlevo as an over-the-counter product with no age limits or parental consent requirements for buyers. Women must consume the medication under pharmacist supervision because authorities classified it as a medicine requiring guidance.
The firm submitted its application in 2024 after trial sales at 145 pharmacies the previous year showed demand for easier access. Health officials rejected a 2017 proposal to remove prescription requirements despite public support because they worried about irresponsible use. Rights advocates criticized the limited trial scope and argued that prescription mandates discouraged young women and assault victims from obtaining the treatment.
The pill contains levonorgestrel and achieves 80 percent effectiveness when taken within 72 hours after unprotected intercourse. More than 90 nations allow emergency contraception purchases without prescriptions, but Japan maintains conservative reproductive health policies rooted in traditional gender expectations. The manufacturer stated broader availability would support Japanese women’s reproductive autonomy, though a sales date remains unannounced.
