The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday said that approving over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptive pills “needs consensus” from the public due to its wide social impact.
The agency made the comments in response to a query from the Central News Agency following the decision to approve such sales by regulators in Japan.
Aska Pharmaceutical on Monday announced that its emergency contraceptive Norleveo had been approved for over-the-counter sales.
Photo: Chiu Chih-rou, Taipei Times
Japanese media reported that the drug is expected to become available without a prescription or parental consent later this year, although those who purchase it would need to take it in the presence of a licensed pharmacist.
FDA specialist Lin Yi-chu (林意筑) said that such drugs are available by prescription only in Taiwan and that approving them for over-the-counter use would need further consensus.
Changing their status would involve soliciting input from pharmacists, as well as advocacy groups representing women, young people and parents, Lin said.
The FDA held two meetings on the subject in March and April, Lin said, adding that the administration would closely monitor Japan’s experience and was planning trials “suitable for Taiwan.”
Taiwanese were praised for their composure after a video filmed by Taiwanese tourists capturing the moment a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Japan’s Aomori Prefecture went viral on social media. The video shows a hotel room shaking violently amid Monday’s quake, with objects falling to the ground. Two Taiwanese began filming with their mobile phones, while two others held the sides of a TV to prevent it from falling. When the shaking stopped, the pair calmly took down the TV and laid it flat on a tatami mat, the video shows. The video also captured the group talking about the safety of their companions bathing
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