Key Summary
- Almost two-thirds (65 percent) believe that emergency contraception is difficult to obtain after 10 pm.
- Three out of four (75 percent) people in the 18–34 age group support wider retail availability of this treatment.
- CoSRH's call has the backing of a coalition of women's health charities and Medical Royal Colleges.
While the government has made efforts to improve the accessibility of emergency contraception, a YouGov survey shows that people believe it is difficult to obtain outside typical opening hours.
Almost half (43 percent) believe it would be difficult to access emergency contraception on a Sunday, and almost two-thirds (65 percent) believe it would be difficult to obtain after 10 pm.
On the other hand, results suggest only 7 percent of people believe it would be difficult to access emergency contraception during the daytime on a weekday.
Emergency contraception is most effective when taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
The College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (CoSRH), a multidisciplinary professional membership organisation, had recently called for oral emergency contraception to be reclassified under the General Sales List, allowing it to be sold directly from shops and retailers, much like paracetamol.
Currently, individuals accessing emergency contraception must obtain it from a pharmacy, GP practice or sexual health clinic and, in most cases, undergo a consultation before it can be supplied.
The survey found strong public support for a change, with 61 percent backing wider retail availability and just 15 percent opposed.
Three out of four (75 percent) people in the 18–34 age group concurred with this view.
CoSRH president Dr Zara Haider said, "Emergency contraception is a safe and effective but time-sensitive method of contraception. Yet these findings show that a significant number of people are worried they won't be able to get it when they need it.
“The decision to prevent an unintended pregnancy is a basic human right and should not depend on the day of the week, the time of day, your postcode or whether the local pharmacy happens to be open.
“Women shouldn't have to navigate unnecessary hurdles to get emergency contraception, particularly when time matters. Making it available alongside condoms and pregnancy tests in shops and other retailers is a simple fix, one that would give women greater control over their reproductive health and, crucially, has the backing of the majority of the public.”
CoSRH’s call for reclassification of emergency contraception has the backing of a coalition of women's health charities and Medical Royal Colleges.
The College argues that allowing emergency contraception to be purchased directly from retail outlets would better reflect modern healthcare needs and help ensure people can obtain treatment promptly following unprotected sex or contraceptive failure.
