Taiwan expands abortion drug purchase tracking | Taiwan News | Jul. 2, 2026 15:22

Taiwan is expanding purchase tracing requirements for abortion and emergency contraception drugs, including mifepristone and morning-after pills, while arguing the changes will not affect how patients obtain the medications. Deputy Health Minister Lin Ching-yi said Wednesday that requiring traceability for mifepristone, levonorgestrel, and ulipristal acetate would be prompted by alleged misuse and illegal sales cases, as reported by UP Media. Lin also noted that morning-after pills have long required a prescription in Taiwan and warned that frequent use may pose health risks. Support and opposition diverge: the Federation of Taiwan Pharmacists Associations backs adding mifepristone to the tracing system but opposes extending tracing to levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate. Women’s rights advocates criticized the government for not consulting women’s rights groups and raised concerns that the policy could undermine the time-sensitive nature of emergency contraception. Health Minister Shih Chung-liang said the ministry would ensure supporting measures so people who need the drugs can continue obtaining them.