Free museum entry for New Zealanders and people living in New Zealand

Levonelle emergency contraceptive pill

Object | Part of History collection

item details

NameLevonelle emergency contraceptive pill
ProductionSchering AG; manufacturer(s); circa 2004; Germany
Classificationoral contraceptives, personalia
Materialscardboard, foil, plastic
DimensionsOverall: 85mm (width), 35mm (height), 15mm (depth)
Registration NumberGH022397
Credit lineGift of Dame Margaret Sparrow, 2011

Overview

Emergency contraception was introduced to New Zealand in the early 1970s. Dame Margaret Sparrow was one of the first New Zealand doctors to prescribe what was known as the 'morning after pill'. It was actually four pills taken within 72 hours of intercourse. Then four dropped to two (such as this example). By 2003, the dose was a single pill that could be bought at a pharmacy without a prescription.