FPA: Trials are welcome
Thursday, 13 Dec 2007 12:27
Trials assessing whether contraception including the contraceptive pill should be given in pharmacies have been welcomed by the sexual health charity FPA.
The health minister Lord Ara Darzi said the trials would take place next year as the government believes pharmacies provide "probably the easiest route" for people to access contraception.
FPA chief executive Anne Weyman said the charity "will be waiting for the results of the pilot scheme with great interest".
"There are many different issues to investigate such as training for pharmacists, safe prescribing and women's experiences of obtaining the pill this way," she added.
"It's absolutely essential however, that this initiative is part of a comprehensive and holistic approach to broaden women's access to all 14 methods of contraception and not just the pill.
"Otherwise women will find their contraceptive choices greatly diminished, rather than greatly enhanced."