Make emergency contraception readily available

The recent Irish Study of Sexual Health and Relationships demonstrated the high level of support for emergency contraception (EC) being made available over-the-counter in Ireland.

The US recently approved EC for over-the-counter use with tremendous support from doctors, pharmacists and reproductive health groups.

US studies show that EC is a safe and effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy.

It does not increase or encourage sexual activity.

Women use EC responsibly as a back-up method of contraception.

But emergency contraception can only work if women are educated about it and the medication is readily available to them.

Emergency contraception can reduce the risk of pregnancy with 85% effectiveness when taken within the first 25-48 hours of unprotected sex. The sooner it’s taken, the better it works.

Ireland and the US have some of the highest rates of unintended pregnancy in the industrialised world.

We need to work to ensure that emergency contraception is readily available to those who need it — when they need it — to reduce unintended pregnancy.

Niall Behan

Chief Executive

Irish Family Planning

Association

60 Amiens Street

Dublin 1

JoAnn Smith

President/CEO

Family Planning Advocates

of New York State

17 Elk Street

Albany

New York