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HOC Answers - 29.07.10
What consideration is being given within Government to allow women to get the contraceptive pill at pharmacies without prescription
Baroness Tonge (Liberal Democrat) To ask Her Majesty's Government what consideration they are giving to allowing women to obtain the contraceptive pill at pharmacies without prescription.
Earl Howe (Conservative) We have no plans at present to allow women to access the oral contraceptive pill over the counter at pharmacies without a prescription. However, a small number of areas are currently piloting the supply of the contraceptive pill at pharmacies through patient group directions (PGDs), which are written instructions for the supply or administration of medicines to groups of patients without an individual doctor's prescription. All the pharmacists taking part in these pilots have received robust training in sexual health and contraception, and will refer patients to their general practitioner or the community sexual and reproductive health services, where appropriate. Once complete, the pilots will be evaluated and we will consider further developments in the light of the results.
Posted 29 July 2010