title: Non-prescription dispensing of emergency oral contraceptives: Recommendations from the German Federal Chamber of Pharmacists [Bundesapothekerkammer].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Emergency hormonal contraceptives (EHC) are contraceptives used to prevent unintended pregnancy following unprotected sexual intercourse (USI) or contraceptive failure. The EHCs available without a prescription include medicines containing levonorgestrel (LNG) in more than 80 countries and, recently, based on an EU-switch ellaOne®, which contains ulipristal acetate (UPA). EHCs work by stopping or delaying ovulation. Those containing LNG can be used up to 72 hours after USI or contraceptive failure, while UPA can be used up to 120 hours. In the context of the UPA implementation process, Germany switched LNG to non-prescription status as well.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To develop recommendations, a protocol, and a continuing education program for pharmacists to assure quality when giving advice and dispensing EHCs in community pharmacies without a medical prescription.
  
  
  METHODS
  The recommendations were developed by an iterative process of drafting, recognizing, and discussing comments and proposals for amendments as well a seeking agreement with a number of stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Health (BMG), Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM), Federal Chamber of Physicians (BÄK), Drug Commission of German Physicians (AkdÄ), professional organizations/associations of gynaecologists, pharmaceutical OTC-industry as well as government-controlled, private, and church-based organizations and centres providing advice on sex education and family planning.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The recommendations were eventually endorsed by the BMG in consultation with the BfArM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The recommendations were made public, published in the professional journal and used in an uncounted number of continuing education programs based on the curriculum and provided by the State Chambers of Pharmacists.
authors: Chairman, Drug Commission of German Pharmacists (AMK) and Director Medicine, Federal Chamber of Pharmacists (BAK), Berlin; Lecturer, Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Biochemistry, Institute of Pharmacy, Freie Universitaet . Berlin, ( Germany ). m.schulz@arzneimittelkommission.de.
authors: Martin
authors: 0000-0002-5876-7322
authors: M
authors: Schulz
authors: Managing Director, Drug Commission of German Pharmacists (AMK). Berlin ( Germany ). amk@arzneimittelkommission.de.
authors: Ralf
authors: R
authors: Goebel
authors: Vice-President, German Society for Psychosomatic Gynaecology and Obstretics (DGPFG), Northeim ( Germany ). claudiaschumann@t-online.de.
authors: Claudia
authors: 0000-0003-2632-7987
authors: C
authors: Schumann
authors: Research Associate, Drug Commission of German Pharmacists (AMK). Berlin ( Germany ). amk@arzneimittelkommission.de.
authors: Petra
authors: P
authors: Zagermann-Muncke
keywords: Community Pharmacy Services; Contraception; Germany; Pharmacies; Postcoital; Practice Guidelines as Topic