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Opinion,
Comment & Reviews
Contraception |
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Over
the counter emergency contraception in Manchester
By Ellie Lee
Women in Manchester can obtain emergency contraception without
a prescription under a government-sponsored pilot programme
which aims to reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies.
The scheme, being run by the Manchester, Trafford and Salford
Health Action Zone, was launched on Christmas Eve last year.
Until now the morning-after pill has only been available by
prescription from a GP or from a family planning centre. The
trial, which has the backing of the Department of Health,
will run until the end of March.
A spokesman for the health action zone told the news agency
PA News: 'Sixteen pharmacies are taking part in the pilot
across the area, which has some of the highest rates of teenage
pregnancies in the country.' 'The pharmacists are supplying
the drug, not prescribing it'. 'They have all undergone very
rigorous training. They are taught a protocol which is a series
of questions the women will be asked'. 'The questions are
detailed and complex and if she does not answer them satisfactorily
she will be refused the drug and advised to contact her GP'.
'Those to whom the drug is given must take it on the premises.'
He said the 10-minute consultation is carried out in a private
area of the pharmacy. Before the pill is handed out the woman
is asked to sign a consent form. So far, only 18 women have
used the service, BBC News on-line reports.
The current emergency contraceptive drug is said to prevent
75 per cent of pregnancies if taken within 72 hours of unprotected
sexual intercourse. The Royal Pharmaceutical Society is backing
the programme. President Christine Glover told The Express:
'We welcome the Manchester scheme which allows women access
to this safe and effective form of emergency contraception
combined with expert pharmaceutical care and advice.' Not
everyone is pleased with the effort, as some believe it will
encourage casual sex. Valerie Riches of Family and Youth Concern
said, 'It encourages people not to take responsibility for
their actions because the state will pick up the pieces. It
will be an excuse for people, especially boys, not to use
contraception, which will lead to an increase in [STDs].'
The pilot scheme will be evaluated before a decision is made
on whether to extend it.
Guardian 8/1/00: 'Morning-after pill trial hailed as success'
Times 8/1/00: 'Morning-after pill offered free'
Daily Telegraph 8/1/00: 'Morning-after pill supplied free'
Express 8/1/00: 'Chemists hand out morning-after pill'
PA News and BBC News on-line 10/1/00 |
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