The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has issued guidance on oral emergency contraceptives as pharmacy medicines, which covers the information that is required before the sale of the medicine.

1. Who is the EC for?

If EC is being sold, or if a patient group direction (PGD) allows it, EC can be supplied to someone other than the person it is intended for, so long as there is satisfaction that it is a genuine request and that supply is appropriate. The person should be contacted directly to confirm details that cannot be provided by their representative. 

2. How old are you?

It’s important to establish the age of the customer early on in the consultation to check that she is over 16 years of age (the legal age of consent in England, Scotland and Wales). Those who are under 13 years of age cannot legally give consent to any sexual activity (13-15 year olds are considered able to consent to sexual intercourse, if Fraser guidelines criteria is met). If someone is underage, and if a person under 18 has not consented to have sex, the case should be reported as a safeguarding concern. If coercion or abuse in a customer under 18 years of age is suspected, this must be reported to the local safeguarding children’s officer.

3. When did UPSI take place?

It should be established when unprotected sexual intercourse (UPSI) took place and if there were any other episodes of UPSI in the same menstruation cycle. 

Levonorgestrel (LNG) is licensed for use up to 72 hours after UPSI. Some PGDs will allow it to be used beyond this point and the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health (FSRH) says some studies suggest that LNG is effective up to 96 hours after UPSI. Ulipristal acetate (UPA) is licensed for use up to 120 hours (five days) after UPSI.

The Cu-IUD should be fitted within the first five days (120 hours) following the first UPSI
in a cycle or within five days from the earliest calculated likely date of ovulation, whichever is later.

In the case of an increased pill-free interval with combined hormonal contraceptives, a Cu-IUD can be inserted for up to 13 days after the start of incorrect pill taking or hormone-free interval.