Morning-after pill remains on the counter

By Anna Tobin

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A�MOTION to overturn government legislation that has allowed�the morning after or emergency contraceptive pill to be sold in chemists without prescription, has been defeated in the House of Lords.

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The vote took place last night. If the majority of Lords voted in favour of banning over-the-counter sales of the drug, the ruling could have become effective immediately.

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The morning-after pill has been available over-the-counter, without prescription since the beginning of the year. It was introduced by the government in the hope that it would reduce the number of teenage pregnancies.

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Baroness Young, however, led the motion to reverse the laws governiing the sale of the drug, claiming it could encourage teenage promiscuity and the spread of sexual transmitted diseases. She is also concerned about the long-term health risks associated with taking the drug.

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Dr Marian Parry, medical adviser to the family planning advice organisation Marie Stopes International, disagrees. She says the contraceptive is safe and will not encourage promiscuity.

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