Lord Darzi: Access to contraception should improve
Thursday, 13 Dec 2007 11:51
Lord Ara Darzi has expressed his view that pharmacies are "probably the easiest route" for people to obtain contraception.
The health minister announced in the House of Lords that trials are to take place in 2008 to determine the effectiveness of contraception including the contraceptive pill being offered in high street pharmacies.
He said the stores were being considered due to their "accessibility and convenient opening hours".
"On the provision of and access to contraception through pharmacists; I feel strongly that that is probably the easiest route for the patient," Lord Darzi told peers.
The government hopes improved access to contraception will reduce rates of teenage pregnancies and abortion rates.
"I have no doubt that improvements in sexual health and the provision of choice in acquiring oral contraceptives will significantly reduce unintended pregnancies," said Lord Darzi.
When questioned about issues regarding the age of people asking for the pill, the health minister said age will be "a matter for the professional judgment of the pharmacist".
"At the moment there is no age limit from a pharmacy perspective, but we envisage that it will be compatible with [the limit for] supplying the morning-after pill, which is 16," he said.
"It will be for the professional judgment of the pharmacist and identification of some sort will probably be used to confirm the age of the individual."
Lord Darzi also maintained standards would be met and said the government would ensure appropriate training so that pharmacists distribute contraception correctly.