Free morning after pill- good or bad news?
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service is to offer the morning-after pill for free over the Christmas period.
Women will be able to keep it at home over the festive season in a bid to lower the number of unwanted pregnancies.
This initiative by the BPAS is aimed at women who may not be able to pay the £26 that it costs at a pharmacy, and they are also aiming to raise awareness to the fact that women can be given the emergency contraceptive before they need it, to keep at home.
Ann Furedi, chief executive of the BPSA said: "Sex isn't always planned or prepared for. It's easy to get carried away, which is why we advise women to back up their birth control by keeping the morning-after pill at home. You don't wait until you get a headache to buy your pain relief - why wait until you've risked pregnancy to get the morning-after pill?"
The move will prove a controversial one, as people who are against the morning-after pill fear it will encourage a casual attitude towards sex, and increase the number of STIs that young people can pick up.
Closures of GP surgery's and chemists over the Christmas period can prove problematic for couples, if a condom breaks of if a woman forgets to take her pill.
Although the morning-after pill is effective up to 72 hours after sex, it's recommended to take it as soon as possible. The efficiency level can drop the longer you leave it, from 95% within 24 hours to 58% between 49 and 72 hours.
The BPAS' argument is that women will find it much easier having emergency contraceptive at home, over the festive period so that they can be prepared for any eventuality.
Guidelines from the Royal Pharmaceutical Society do allow high-street chemists to provide the morning-after pill to women before they need it, but some pharmacies will not give it out and most do not even realise the service is available.
BPAS will offer it to any woman who wants it, in a special Christmas pack, which also includes condoms. Those who take a pack will be given advice on sexual health and other contraceptive methods, which are more effective at preventing pregnancy than the morning-after pill.
What do you think about this? Do you think it's a good idea?