The government has kept the morning-after pill as a prescription medication even though, on the basis of a European Commission directive effective from January 1, it should be available over the counter in the EU, Népszabadság daily has reported. The new EU rule concerns the ellaOne emergency contraceptive, which the European Medicines Agency had recommended in November should be withdrawn from the list of prescription medications. Croatia, Poland, Germany and Italy also restrict its purchase. Népszabadság noted that although the EU rule applies to all member states, individual countries can maintain restrictions concerning the shipping and use of the medication.