New morning-after pill rolled out in pharmacies around the UK
EllaOne is an emergency contraceptive that can be taken up to five days after sexual intercourse. Now that the European Union has changed the licensing law, this morning-after pill is widely available over the counter throughout the UK.
The drug’s developer, Tony Fraser, has hailed this development as “great news for women”. Critics have warned, however, that many women may be unaware that this pill may act as an abortifacient (a drug that induces an abortion).
One of the functions of ellaOne is to slow or stop ovulation. The pill’s marketing glosses over the fact that it may also render the uterine lining unstable. Such instability could effectively cause an early miscarriage.
EllaOne joins the cohort of emergency contraceptives that appear to be fuelling the behaviour they are designed to remedy – unprotected sex. These drugs are intended as a last resort, should another form of contraception fail, or in the event that a woman chooses to have unprotected sex.
Lessening the risk of pregnancy, however, simply removes a primary deterrent against having unprotected sex. Indeed, studies show that a reduced risk of pregnancy results in an increase in unprotected sex, which in turn increases the occurrence of sexually transmitted infections. Far from empowering women, these types of drugs lead them to compromise their health.
Peter Saunders, chief executive of Christian Medical Fellowship, comments:
“Making the emergency contraceptive pill available over the counter free, without prescription, is sadly an ill-conceived knee-jerk response to Britain’s spiralling epidemic of unplanned pregnancy, abortion and sexually transmitted disease amongst teenagers. It is also not evidence-based.
“The best way to counter the epidemic of unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease is to promote real behaviour change. The government would be well advised to enter into dialogue with leaders of communities in Britain where rates of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy are low, especially Christian faith communities, to learn about what actually works.”
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Related Coverage:
Five-day emergency pill available across UK without prescription (BBC)
New study confirms that making morning-after pill free without prescription increases sexually transmitted infections and fails to reduce pregnancy rates (Christian Medical Fellowship)
