The British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) is creating a method to help women “prepare for the unexpected.” The service will enable women to keep the morning-after pill at home in order to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Currently, the pill is only available by prescription at clinics or gynecological services. Women must receive the pill within three days of having unprotected sex. However, completed studies show that this pill is 50% more effective when taken in the first 12 hours after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
The service is targeted towards busy working women who have little time to visit their doctors. For a fee of 10 pounds, or approximately 15 U.S. dollars, women will be able to purchase the pill.
Ann Furedi, BPAS spokeswoman, said, “A recent study carried out in Scotland showed that if women were given emergency contraceptives to keep at home they used them sensibly, and did not stop using their usual method of contraception. We are concerned about unwanted pregnancies, and emergency contraception has a part to play because it gives women a second chance.”
