Digital support for emergency contraception
Forgot to take your pill or did your condom break? For situations like these, there is the “morning-after pill”. A tool that emerged from a research project at the University of Basel is designed to make conversations between pharmacy staff and customers as comfortable as possible and help them make the best possible decision.
18 August 2026 | Noëmi Kern
If a woman is concerned that she may become pregnant unintentionally, she can obtain the “morning-after pill” without a prescription at pharmacies in Switzerland. Before it is dispensed, she has a consultation with a health care professional. During the consultation, she learns, for example, how to continue using contraception. She also receives information about counseling services if she needs additional support, for example because she has experienced violence.
“A good conversation is important in such a stressful situation,” says Esther Spinatsch. The pharmacist conducts research and teaches at the University of Basel and also works regularly at a pharmacy in Basel. There, she has direct contact with women seeking emergency contraception. “Many women appreciate the information they receive during the consultation.”
Less discomfort with self-assessment
To assess the situation and provide the best possible advice, pharmacists first need answers to questions such as: When did the unprotected sex occur? How long has it been since the last menstrual period? Until now, customers had to fill out a paper questionnaire at the pharmacy. “Answering such personal questions in front of other people can be uncomfortable, however,” says Esther Spinatsch.
To address this, she recently launched the web application eviflow, which allows women to enter all the required information themselves online in advance without providing any personal data. Women decide when and with which pharmacy to share their answers. The information provides pharmacists with a basis for the consultation that follows.
In addition, women using eviflow can choose in advance which topics they would like more in-depth counseling on, such as the differences between contraceptive methods or how emergency contraception works. This is intended to increase discretion and privacy while also ensuring that important medical questions can be systematically addressed during the consultation.
Personal contact remains key
Along the way from the research project to the service available today, Esther Spinatsch received support from the University of Basel’s Innovation Office. The office also supported her in founding Qualitheke GmbH as a University of Basel spin-off; the company now offers and continues to develop eviflow. Data collected anonymously through eviflow are also intended to be used in future research projects. “
The goal is not to replace in-person counseling,” emphasizes Esther Spinatsch. Rather, the digital tool is intended to support a good conversation and strengthen its confidentiality and quality. The benefit lies in combining digital tools with in-person counseling: Because the key questions are answered digitally before the consultation, there is more time during the conversation to focus on the individual.
Through its structured workflows, eviflow is also intended to support those providing counseling and help them feel more confident in their professional judgment. “Smaller pharmacies in particular are less likely to encounter situations in which they need to advise a customer about emergency contraception,” says Esther Spinatsch. Based on the information entered, eviflow provides the professional with evidence-based information to support counseling and decision-making. It shows what needs to be considered when choosing emergency contraception and what precautions are necessary in each situation. Professional assessment, however, remains the responsibility of the person providing the consultation.
Planned expansion
eviflow is currently available in four languages: German, French, Italian, and English. More languages, including Spanish and Russian, will be added in the future. Additional applications are also being developed: Starting in fall 2026, users will be able to enter information digitally before receiving a flu vaccine. Later, eviflow is also expected to be used for preventive health screenings and other concerns, such as erectile dysfunction.
