Emergency oral contraceptive (EOC)

In our country, the distribution of Emergency oral contraceptive (EOC) is free in public hospitals and is included in the National Family Planning Standardas well as in the emergency kit for rape victims, thanks to a precautionary measure granted by Justice in 2016. However, this could change if the Constitutional Court (TC) makes an unfavorable decision, despite overwhelming scientific evidence supporting ECPs as a method of contraception.

“Currently, the TC has in its hands the possibility of guaranteeing access to a safe method of preventing pregnancy whose effectiveness is supported by scientific evidence. A ruling against AOE puts the lives and health of thousands of women and girls at risk, especially those who have been victims of rape,” says Susana Chávez, director of Promsex.

He adds that scientific evidence shows that the so-called “next pill” don’t interrupt a pregnancybut rather prevents it, since its only mechanism of action is to delay the release of the egg from the ovary, with which it is not possible for fertilization to occur and after that, pregnancy.

For this reason, in 2005, the World Health Organization (WHO) has already been officially pronounced, noting that the AOE It has no abortifacient effect. Likewise, in 2016, through its descriptive note n°244 by which it updates its information on ECPs, it reaffirmed that the pills “are not effective once the implantation process has begun and cannot cause abortion”.

The drug can prevent sperm from maturing and swimming, thus preventing pregnancies in mice within 30 minutes of injection.  About 2.5 hours later, sperm started swimming and the male mice started to regain their normal fertility.  They were able to father normal offspring
The drug can prevent sperm from maturing and swimming, thus preventing pregnancies in mice within 30 minutes of injection. About 2.5 hours later, sperm started swimming and the male mice started to regain their normal fertility. They were able to father normal offspring

Since the beginning of 2021, the CT to this cause, and civil society organizations demand a rapid and positive decision, in accordance with the scientific evidence presented by different national and international organizations, during the process. This respects the right of girls, adolescents and adult women to access a wide range of methods. contraceptives to avoid unwanted or forced pregnancies.

At the hearing on February 28, the representatives of the organizations that presented the amicus will also take the floor, among them we highlight: the Medical College of Peru, Peruvian University Cayetano Heredia, Peruvian Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology (SPOG), Latin American Federation of Societies of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FLASOG)among others.

Similarly, for the constitutionalist and former magistrate of the Constitutional Court, Samuel Abad, who will plead the defense during this hearing, recalled that the TC must decide on the basis of the law. Moreover, he indicates that “there is no argument for the TC to rule against the AOE”.

Categorized in: