UK Health Secretary blocks bid to give girls ECPs in advance

ByCristina Puig

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended in draft guidance proposed in 2010 that doctors, nurses, and pharmacies should “ensure all young women are able to obtain free emergency hormonal contraception, including advance provision.”  The recommendation has been on the Health Secretary’s desk since the Spring but he has not yet given it approval over concerns that NICE has not provided any evidence that the move would bring down unwanted pregnancies.

Similar Posts

Protecting sexual and reproductive health and rights during COVID-19. Joint statement

ByCristina Puig

May 14, 2020. On May sixth, 59 countries, including 37 European ones, issued a joint statement highlighting that COVID -19 may negatively impact women’s and girls’ abilities to exercise their sexual rights and reproductive rights. The statement raises the increased risk of gender-based violence, and addresses the need to ensure sexual health and reproductive health services,…

Study Finds Spanish Women Highly Value Hormonal EC

ByCristina Puig

Data from the study “Women’s perception of emergency contraceptive pills” are now available. The study examined Spanish women’s opinions and knowledge on hormonal EC. The researchers’ findings included the following: 84% of Spanish women consider that having the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) available is a major breakthrough for woman. 76% considered that the ECP is…

In the UK: mandatory consultation with pharmacist to buy EC, put into question

ByCristina Puig

  January  2019 –  In the United Kingdom, the charity British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) published Pharmacy provision of emergency contraception: A mystery shopper study. A consultation with the pharmacist prior to purchasing EC is still mandatory in the UK, as it is considered an important opportunity to give a woman information about all her contraception…

|

Over-the-counter provision of EC pills is feasible

ByCristina Puig

March 2022.  A new systematic review of over-the-counter (OTC) provision of emergency contraception pills (ECPs), concludes that it is feasible and acceptable, and that it may increase access to and timely use of effective contraception. Evidence suggests that OTC provision of ECPs do not substantively change reproductive health outcomes. This review expands the evidence supporting…

In Malta: women´s groups demand access to EC

ByCristina Puig

In June 2016, the Maltese NGO Women’s Rights Foundation (WRF) filed a judicial protest on behalf of 102 women, requesting that emergency contraception is licensed, available, and accessible locally. The Minister of Health announced that the issue will be discussed at the Parliament Social Affairs committee in the coming months. Despite being a member of the European Union,…