THE MORNING after pill could be available for free from high street pharmacies within the next few weeks.
It means the emergency medicine will be available on the NHS over the counter, after a short consultation with a pharmacist or pharmacy technician.
The morning after pill could be free from pharmacies as early as next month[/caption]
Right now, many women are forced to pay up to £30 for the pill, depending on whether their local council covers the cost.
The morning after pill is a type of emergency contraception used after unprotected sex or if regular contraception fails.
It can be taken at home but must be used within three to five days, and the sooner it is taken the more effective it will be.
It works by preventing or delaying the release of an egg, and does not cause an abortion.
“Women across England face an unfair postcode lottery when seeking emergency contraception, with access varying dramatically depending on where they live,” the health minister Stephen Kinnock said.
“By making this available at community pharmacies, we will ensure all women can access this essential healthcare when they need it, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay.”
The free scheme is pencilled in to start on October 29, according to Community Pharmacy England (CPE), the body that represents NHS pharmacies.
But the NHS has yet to officially confirm the date and will sign it off nearer the time, CPE said in an announcement on its website.
Currently, buying the pill over the counter can cost between £15 and £30, depending on the brand and the pharmacy.
Most GP surgeries and sexual health clinics already offer it for free, but waits for an appointment can make the pill less effective.
The October rollout will finally bring England in line with Scotland and Wales, where the morning after pill has already been available for free in pharmacies for years.
The move is part of wider plans to reform community pharmacies by boosting services and easing pressure on hospitals.
As well as the rollout of free access to the morning after pill, pharmacies will also begin offering support to people prescribed antidepressants, with is also due to start on October 29.
A guide to taking the morning after pill
EMERGENCY contraception can stop you from getting pregnant after you’ve had unprotected sex.
This applies to when you haven’t used a condom, the condom broke or you forgot to take your contraceptive pill.
You need to use emergency contraception within three to five days of having unprotected sex. The sooner you take it, the more effective it will be.
Just like all methods of contraception, it’s not 100 per cent guaranteed that the morning after pill will protect you from pregnancy.
Depending on how much time has passed since you had unprotected sex, you might be limited on what treatments you can seek.
There are two main types of emergency pill used in the UK:
- Levonorgestrel like Levonelle, which you need to take within three days after sex
- Ulipristal acetate like ellaOne, which you need to take within five days after sex
You can also have an intrauterine device (IUD) – also known as the copper coil – fitted within five days of having sex.
It’s a small plastic T-shape that a specially trained nurse or doctor can put into your womb at a sexual health clinic or GP surgery.
You can choose to leave in the IUD as your usual method of contraception and it will last you five to 10 years, depending on the type.
How often can I take the morning after pill?
While you can take the morning after pill as often as you need to, it’s not recommended that you use it as a regular method of contraception.
There are no long-term effects on your body if you take it often, but there are other methods of contraception that are much more effective and easier to manage.
Can the pill cause side effects?
Most people who take the morning after pill won’t experience side effects.
But you might experience:
- A headache
- Stomach ache
- Changes to your periods – your period could temporarily be earlier, later, lighter, heavier or more painful
- Nausea or vomiting – if you do vomit after taking your morning after pill (within two hours for levonorgestrel or three hours for ellaOne) you will not be protected against pregnancy and will need to get a second dose
To combat nausea, you could take the morning after pill with some food to line your stomach.
Where can I get the morning after pill?
You can get the emergency pill or IUD free from:
- Most sexual health clinics
- Most GP surgeries
You can also get the emergency pill for free from:
- Some NHS walk-in centres
- Pharmacies that offer NHS emergency contraception services
- Some young people’s services (call the national sexual health helpline on 0300 123 7123 for more information)
Sources: NHS and The Lowdown