OTTAWA, Jan 30, 2001 (LSN.ca) – The Society of Obstetricians and Gyaenocologists of Canada (SOGC) is taking on the role of activist to have the abortifacient morning-after-pill available over-the-counter in Canada. Most drug designation switches from “by prescription only” to “over-the-counter” are initiated by the drug manufacturer, but this time, said Christine Menard, director of communications at SOGC, the society is filling out application forms and “it will be about an 18-month process.” Menard comments in the current edition of the Canadian Pharmaceutical Journal that discussions with government over the issue indicate that “there won’t be [many] barriers.” Health Canada spokesman Roslyn Tremblay confirmed that the government is looking at the issue but would not comment while it is under discussion, according to the journal.
Menard says, “in the meantime, we’re looking at other alternatives like a prescription pad for physicians’ offices so that women of child bearing age are given a prescription automatically when they go for a physical.”