Article content

Leaders in women’s health are alarmed by reports some Canadian pharmacists are refusing to sell the “morning-after” pill to overweight women, based on what experts say is little evidence the drugs may be less effective in heavier women.

The pills, designed to help prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, were given full over-the-counter status in most provinces in Canada in 2008, allowing women to buy emergency contraceptives directly from a pharmacist, without a doctor’s prescription or after a medical consultation with the druggist.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Some pharmacists refusing to sell morning-after pills to overweight women: reports Back to video

But a recent report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, Canada’s top medical journal, has re-ignited a controversy over whether new weight limits unfairly restrict access to Plan B and other emergency contraceptives.

Last year, Health Canada told manufacturers to add new warnings about the pills, advising women the drugs are less effective in those weighing 75 to 80 kilograms, and totally ineffective in women over 80 kg.