'Advance' morning-after pill requested

Monday, 9 February 2004 12:00 AM

Women ought to receive the emergency "morning after" contraception pills more easily to prevent unwanted pregnancies, the Family Planning Association argues today.

The FPA said having the pills readily available at home was more effective than having to visit the GP or a clinic.

Morning-after pills can be bought over the counter at chemists but rules dictate that chemists must ask customers whether they have had unprotected sex within the past 72 hours before selling on the drug.

The appeal also has the support of the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and charity the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS).

It comes at the start of Contraceptive Awareness Week.

The FPA said more than three-quarters of women calling their helpline wanted to have emergency pills in advance.

The FPA is calling on primary care trusts to reassess the merits of advance provision and argues that nurses should also be allowed to dispense the pills in advance.

Anne Weyman, the chief executive of the FPA, said "Women may not always be able to get to a GP, clinic or pharmacist quickly, especially at weekends, so having these pills to hand can offer the best way to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.

"This 'access through the bathroom cabinet' is ideal for women whose method of contraception could fail or who cannot get to a health professional easily.

"Emergency contraception is a cost-effective prevention measure, and wider access for women would help prevent the financial and social consequences of unplanned pregnancy."

Dr Beverly Malone, general secretary of the RCN, said: "We would support the idea of advanced provision. This would allow women the option of early use, especially at weekends or in the event of failed contraception."

Ann Furedi, chief executive of the BPAS, said: "Unfortunately, the current system for buying emergency contraception creates a blame culture, interfering with women controlling their own fertility, as they have to, in effect, justify why they want to take the pill."

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