A reputed sexual healthcare charity seems to suggest that the home medicine chest, which usually includes common medicines, such as for headache and cold, should also include the emergency contraceptive pill. This advice comes in the wake of the Christmas season where people are often partying to celebrate.
The charity has offered such an advice simply because the morning-after-pill or the emergency contraceptive pill is capable of offsetting pregnancy even if it is consumed 72 hours after sex, though it most effective when taken within 12 hours after sexual intercourse. Women have faced difficulties in procuring the drug within 72 hrs, especially if the drug is needed during weekends or public holidays.Critics have not taken this suggestion very well. On the contrary they feel such a move would promote promiscuous behavior. Norman Wells, the director of the Family Education Trust, said: "This is a very irresponsible move. The original medical assessment report of this powerful hormonal drug cautioned against over-treatment because of its unknown long-term effects. Adolescents, whose bodies are still developing and undergoing rapid hormonal changes, will be particularly vulnerable as a result of making the morning-after pill available in advance without proper medical advice from a practitioner who knows her personal and family history.”
At present the pill can be bought only against a prescription. If the pill were to be made available as a retail purchase, apart from the cost of a single drug being priced higher at 26 pounds, it would also encourage teenagers and youth to indulge in inappropriate behavior without the fear of consequences.
Source-Medindia
SAV
