OTC contraception “welcome”

Pilots of schemes to make contraception available over the counter (OTC) are “extremely welcome”, an expert has said.

Anne Weyman, chief executive of the Family Planning Association (fpa) made her comments in response to Lord Darzi’s statement to the House of Lords, in which he outlined proposals to make the contraceptive Pill free after a health assessment with a pharmacist.

Ms Weyman said issues such as pharmacists training and safe prescribing will need to be investigated.

“It’s absolutely essential however, that this initiative is part of a comprehensive and holistic approach to broaden women’s access to all fourteen methods of contraception and not just the pill,” she urged.

Otherwise, there is a risk such reforms could limit the contraceptive choices open to women, Ms Weyman concluded.

Trevor Stammers, a GP and trustee of charity Family and Youth Concern, told the Times contraception is already freely available and that what is needed is sex education which seeks to delay young people’s “sexual debut”.