India may soon make morning-after pills available over the counter
India is looking to let people buy levonorgestrel-based morning-after pills straight from pharmacies and general stores—no prescription needed.
The idea is to make emergency contraception easier to get, especially as more teens are facing unplanned pregnancies, according to recent health survey data.
Why the change, and what else is proposed?
With 6.8% of women aged 15-19 either pregnant or already mothers (and even higher rates in states like West Bengal and Bihar), The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare wants these pills to be more accessible but still safe.
The new packaging would warn that they don't protect against STDs and should not be taken more than twice a month.
Other emergency contraceptives like Ulipristal would stay prescription-only, so medical supervision remains for stronger options.
If approved, these changes could really improve access for young women across India.