In November 2024, the Federal Court refused to expand the places of sale where to obtain the next day pill. It cannot be purchased in drugstores, contrary to what its distributor wanted. Point J was interested in the functioning of this emergency contraception and the supervision of which its use is subject to Switzerland.
The next day’s pill is a means of emergency hormonal contraception, which must be taken quickly after a no or poorly protected sex if a pregnancy is not desired: no later than three to five days after intercourse, according to the chosen pill.
“We know that the sooner we are going to take it, the more she is likely to be effective. Why? Because these are drugs that will prevent ovulation. They will allow the sperm to die before the egg is released, so that there is no fertilization,” explains Dr. Julien Flückiger, doctor and manager of the CHUV sex health center. “So if the person who takes emergency contraception has already ovulated, it’s too late”.
In Switzerland, all women, minors and major, can have access to the next day pill, as long as they are capable of discernment.
There is no risk on health, on fertility, to take it repeatedly. On the other hand, one never encourages that it is the first method of contraception chosen, because it is less effective than the others
There is a protocol to follow to obtain this emergency contraception: having a prior interview with a professional or a health professional, then fill in a questionnaire and finally take the pill before the medical staff. For Mélanie Levy, professor assistant in health law and co-director of the Institute of Health Law at the University of Neuchâtel, this procedure complicates access to the next day.
What are the different pills the next day found in Switzerland? What are the factors that can influence their effectiveness? How is their use supervised?
>> Listen to the episode of point J:
Grégoire Molle and the Point J team initially broadcast on November 18, 2024.