Cliff Notes
- The morning-after pill may become free from pharmacies to address “unfair postcode lottery” in access, according to Health Minister Stephen Kinnock.
- This initiative aims to increase accessibility to emergency contraception and reduce appointments needed at GPs.
Morning-after pill set to be made free from pharmacies in bid to end ‘unfair postcode lottery’
The morning-after pill could become free from pharmacies in order to end an “unfair postcode lottery”, according to a health minister.
The morning-after pill is a type of emergency contraception taken to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.
Despite its name, it can be taken up to five days after unprotected sex, but the sooner it is taken, the more effective it is.
Emergency contraception is free from most GPs and sexual health clinics, but pharmacies can charge up to £30.
Health minister Stephen Kinnock said women “face an unfair postcode lottery when seeking emergency contraception, with access varying dramatically depending on where they live”.
He described equal access to safe contraception as “a cornerstone of a fair society”.
The proposal, which will be announced on Monday as part of a wider investment in community pharmacies, would come into effect later this year.