Morning-after pill 'should be given over the counter'

THE Government should make emergency contraception available over the counter to help reduce the number of unplanned pregnancies, the Crisis Pregnancy Agency (CPA) urged yesterday.

Currently, women have to see a GP or visit a family planning clinic if they want emergency contraception, also known as the morning-after pill, which has been deregulated in other European countries.

The CPA also wants general contraceptives to be made available free of charge in a bid to reduce the number of crisis pregnancies. The agency made its case as new research showed a high level of sexual risk-taking among 18 to 25-year-olds.