The College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare has urged the government to reclassify oral emergency contraception for sale in corner shops, petrol stations, and supermarkets, citing widespread public concern over access difficulties.
Public Perception of Access Barriers
A YouGov study found that nearly 50 per cent of the public believe it would be difficult to access emergency contraception on a Sunday, while almost two-thirds think they would struggle after 10pm. In contrast, only seven per cent of people considered daytime weekday access problematic.
Proposed Reclassification
The college is calling for oral emergency contraception to be moved to the general sales list, aligning it with medicines like paracetamol that can be sold directly from retail outlets without a prescription. Currently, emergency contraception is not available over-the-counter in such settings.
Dr Zara Haider, president of the college, described the change as “a simple fix” that would make a “safe and effective” medicine as readily available as condoms and pregnancy tests. She stated: “Women shouldn’t have to navigate unnecessary hurdles to get emergency contraception, particularly when time matters. Yet these findings show that a significant number of people are worried they won’t be able to get it when they need it.”
Human Rights and Timeliness
Haider emphasised that “the decision to prevent an unintended pregnancy is a basic human right and should not depend on the day of the week, the time of day, your postcode or whether the local pharmacy happens to be open.” NHS guidance notes that emergency contraception must be used within 3 to 5 days of unprotected sex, with earlier use being more effective.
Public Support
Haider added that stocking the drugs in retail outlets “would give women greater control over their reproductive health” and noted that the idea “crucially, has the backing of the majority of the public.”
