Emergency Pill at home backed

Young women should be given access to the morning-after pill to keep at home in case they need it, a watchdog said.
By The Newsroom
Published 24th May 2010, 23:30 BST
Updated 24th May 2010, 23:30 BST

Pharmacies in particular are being targeted as places where the under-25s can get emergency contraception in advance, according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice), which published the guidelines.

It is the first time Nice has called for such a move as part of a bid to improve access to all types of contraception.

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It said young men and women should also be able to access contraception, including condoms "in a range of types and sizes", at convenient locations, such as schools and youth clubs.

The guidance comes just hours after the UK's first TV commercial for abortion services was screened.

The Nice guidance said doctors, nurses and pharmacies should "ensure all young women are able to obtain free emergency hormonal contraception, including advance provision".

But staff are also told to encourage young women to discuss their contraceptive needs, and offer them a range of choices.

While most young women use at least one method of contraception, abortion rates have increased since 1999.