The morning after pill (emergency contraception) has been fully covered and therefore free since January 1, 2023 in pharmacies. For who ? Where ? Until what age?
The morning after pill, emergency contraception that can be taken no later than 3 to 5 days (depending on the type of pill) after sexual intercourse at risk of pregnancy, is fully covered without upfront costs, therefore free for women since January 1, 2023, confirmed the Ministry of Health in a communicated. The objective of the measure is tofacilitate access to emergency contraception in pharmacies, free of charge and without a prescription, at any age (…) because we know that its effectiveness is maximum within 24 hours after the report at risk of pregnancy” had explained Francois BraunMinister of Health in an interview with 20 minutes on September 20, 2022. This development would guarantee effective access for all women to emergency contraception regardless of their incomeSo when will this measure be implemented in France ? For who Will the morning after pill be free? Starting at what age ? And up to what age? In pharmacy ? Elsewhere ?
Is the morning after pill free for all women?
Since January 1, 2023it is free for all women, minors and adults, without age limit and without a prescription, in pharmacies. Before, the morning after pill was free only for women under 26 with a prescription and for women under 18 without a prescription.
Since when is the morning after pill free in France?
Free morning-after pills for everyone is a measure included in the Social Security financing bill 2023. It has been effective since January 1, 2023.
Up to what age will the morning after pill be free?
The morning after pill is free without age limit for all women, minor and major. Until January 1, 2023, it was only free for women under 26 with a prescription and for women under 18 without a prescription.
Which morning after pills are free?
All morning after pills are fully supported, meaning:
- Levonorgestrel morning after pill (Levonorgestrel Biogaran, NorLevo): take up to 72 hours (3 days) after unprotected or poorly protected intercourse.
- The morning after pill with ulipristal acetate (EllaOne): take up to 120 hours (5 days) after unprotected or poorly protected intercourse. It is commonly referred to as “the day after day pill”.
How to get the morning after pill for free? In pharmacy?
The morning after pill is available without medical prescription :
- in a drug store
- near the school nurse of your establishment, if you are a middle or high school student (free of charge, major or minor)
- in a university or inter-university service of preventive medicine and health prevention (SUMPPS) if you are a student (free of charge, major or minor).
- in a sexual health center (free for minors and for adults without social security coverage)
- to Family planning (free for minors)
- in a CeGIDD (Free Center for Information, Screening and Diagnosis of Human Immunodeficiency Viruses), free of charge, major or minor.
Sources: Social Security financing bill for 2023 / François Braun’s Twitter / January 1, 2023: new measures, Ministry of Health, January 2, 2023