OTC Birth Control Pills

There have been so many drugs over the years that have started out as prescription only, only to end up over-the-counter after years of use have shown them to be safe, needed and used by a large percentage of the population. Often this means that people who would benefit from the drug but whom would not normally have regular access to a doctor are able to live more comfortably. Some argue that prices may go up because insurance isn’t covering it, but to those who have no insurance it is a pointless arguement. Besides, typically new over-the-counter medications are followed by the equivilant generic version, providing price competition. All of this is summed up in that OTC should equal easier access.

Easy access to birth control pills are what teens need to lower teen pregnancy rates. Though it is a trial program, it seems like some in Britain feel the same way.

"For the past six weeks, young women asking for emergency contraception – the morning after pill – have been offered a private consultation on longer term alternatives.

So far around 50 have chosen to switch over to an oral contraceptive after being taken through similar checks to those which would be carried out by a GP.

Pharmacist Cuthbert Churinder has been trained by King’s College.

He said the pilot had been surprisingly successful in the first few weeks – despite not being advertised.

"We do a lot of morning after pills here, I think the highest number in Southwark and Lambeth, about 220 consultations every month," he said.

"I think the PCT is doing the right thing to have chosen us to offer longer term and more reliable contraception to these young girls.""

One can only hope that this is copied elsewhere… such as here in the US. I think that not only has the birth control pill been shown to be safe enough to be sold without a prescription, but that giving teens access to the pill without a prescription would make teens more aware of contraception in general.

Read the whole article.