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‘‘Ideally, the e-pill should be taken immediately after unprotected sexual exposure, on the outside between 72 and 120 hours,’’ says Dr Sunita Mittal, head of the department of obstetrics and gynaecology and in-charge of the WHO-supported pill trials in India.

That would make a big difference.
The government thinks so too, believing it can help in preventing unwanted pregnancies. Says Mittal, ‘‘It is important that women have access to this option. It removes conception-related anxiety to a huge extent and also goes a long way in improving their reproductive health by preventing an undesired conception.’’

How accessible is the emergency pill?
A recent government decision makes the e-pill available on demand over the counter under the brand names EC2, Pill 72, E-Pill and Norlevo. Though the e-pill has been manufactured in India since 2001, it could be purchased only on the production of a prescription. Besides chemists, the government is also planning to social-market it. ‘‘After the government recognised the importance of the e-pill, it was decided that it should be available to women without a visit to the doctor,’’ says Dr Ashwani Kumar, drug controller-general of India.

What is the composition of the e-pill?
The e-pill comprises of a progesterone formulation called levonogrestrel. It is sold in a pack of two, in dosages of .75 mg, for a price of Rs 25 to Rs 30 (and free in government hospitals and public health clinics). Both pills need to be taken together to be effective. There are no side effects like nausea or breast tenderness, the usual fallout of the regular pill. The failure rate is 0-2.4 per cent.

Are there any conditions in which the e-pill shouldn’t be taken?
No. At the moment, there are no conditions that bar the use of the pill, including a history of severe cardiovascular complications and liver disease.

Does the e-pill have anything in common with the abortion pill?
‘‘The e-pill prevents conception. That’s better than having an abortion later,’’ points out Dr Mittal. ‘‘Moreover, it doesn’t interfere with an existing pregnancy. So it is not effective post-implantation of the seed.’’