Levonelle-2 is to become a pharmacy medicine on January 1, 2001. It is to cost £19.99. The over-the-counter brand name is to be Levonelle.
The move has been welcomed by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society. In a statement on December 11, the Society's President (Mrs Christine Glover) said: "We are confident that the provision of emergency hormonal contraception in this way will make an important contribution to the prevention of unplanned pregnancy. The majority of the profession wants to provide this service in the interests of society as part of a planned, co-ordinated approach to improving sexual health. Pharmacists are already responsible for managing the safe and effective supply to the public of many medicinal products that were formerly only available on prescription."
She added: "We appreciate the sensitive and strong views that inform the debate on emergency contraception. The Society's Code of Ethics allows pharmacists to follow their own conscience in such matters, while ensuring that patients have access to services."
The Department of Health has said that until stocks of the P product are available, pharmacists should not sell POM packs of Levonelle-2 over the counter as they will not be labelled, or include patient information leaflets, in accordance with the conditions for pharmacy sale.
A Schering spokeswoman told The Journal that a public launch of the product was unlikely before the end of January. This was to allow pharmacists time to become well informed about the product and for stocks to become available.
England's Centre for Pharmacy Postgraduate Education is expected to offer training on EHC shortly. The expected programme will include workshops throughout England, which will cover family planning practice, therapeutics, supply criteria and practical exercises in talking to clients about their EHC needs. There will also be a short distance learning programme on EHC, which is expected to be available when the product is launched. An internet website dedicated to the topic is already available at www.cppe.man.ac.uk/ehc/index.htm. In addition, the Pharmacy Healthcare Scheme is to produce a leaflet for the public in the new year and a poster for display in pharmacies.
The Prescription Only Medicines (Human Use) Amendment (No 3) Order 2000 SI 2000 No 3231.
Practice guidelines, p890