NHS suggests OTC contraceptive pills to girls over 13

Without the need of prescriptions, girls as young as 13 could be offered contraceptive pills at pharmacies, suggests a National Health Service (NHS) report.

The suggestion follows a pilot scheme, which found significant drop in the need of emergency contraception amongst women, owing to the growing access of the over-the-counter (OTC) pills.

NHS South East London trial reported success in reaching the target group of black British, Caribbean and African women aged 20 and 24 as well as women who had not used oral contraception, according to The Independent.

The pilot project study was carried out at five pharmacies in Southwark and Lambeth boroughs of south London, which have rates of highest teenage pregnancies in Europe and highest in London.

The individuals who used it valued the services and anonymity it offered, the report stated.

NHS study has recommended that this service could be expanded to other pharmacies across the country along with a consideration to offer it to teenagers aged between 13 and 16.

However, the study was criticised by Christian Medical Fellowship’s Dr Peter Saunders for the lack of clear evidence that it will reduce unplanned pregnancy and abortion, and it could fuel the epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases.