Hmm....I'm not so sure that selling the morning after pill over the counter is such a good idea, to be honest.

For a start, it should be used as exactly what it says a 'Plan B' and making it readily available, may well mean people relying on it as their main method of contraception, despite the horrible side effects of the drug.

This will do nothing to make a difference to STI rates, which are rising steadily in the UK (not sure about in the US but I imagine it's pretty much the same across the board).

Also, if women are free to get this pill without too much difficulty, it may well be that they will take it incorrectly. Finding out they are pregnant and then taking it, rather than taking it within the 72 two hour time slot after intercourse. While this will not be effective as a method of abortion, might it not cause damage to the child since the pill is a massive dose of hormones in one (well technically speaking two) go?

Personally I think the 'Oops I did it again' attitude to the morning after pill is a VERY dangerous approach to the contraceptive issue and should be seen as a last resort, when your usual method of contraception has failed, or you become aware that you have missed a contraceptive pill. By making it only available on prescription it gives a doctor an opportunity to:

a) Educate the woman/couple on the kind of contraception they should be using to tackle STI prevention etc.

b) Prescribe a regular contraceptive pill, fit a coil or have the patient fitted for a cap.

c) Highlight those patients who are 'repeat users' who may need extra guidance/ assistance when it comes to pregnancy and STI prevention.

Perhaps I'm alone in this, but I was always taught, that if you didn't have a contraceptive handy, you didn't have sex. It's certainly what I plan to teach my son, not, 'well if you don't have any contraception with you, she can always get the morning after pill the next day.'

Maybe that's why I've never had to take the morning after pill and only ever used a pregnancy test when Fussy and I were actively trying to conceive......

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