TGA rejects push for OTC oral contraceptives

Proposed downscheduling of 11 active ingredients could put women at unnecessary risk, watchdog says
OCPs

The TGA has rejected two applications to allow oral contraceptives to be sold over the counter, finding patients could be prevented from accessing the “most appropriate” medications without a GP’s expertise. 

The proposals covered 11 active ingredients — ethinylestradiol, levonorgestrel, norethisterone, cyproterone, desogestrel, dienogest, drospirenone, estradiol, gestodene, mestranol and nomegestrol — almost all of which are currently Schedule 4.