Morning-after pill trial in Plymouth prompts backlash
A MORNING-AFTER pill that works up to five days after sex is being trialled at two city pharmacies.
But campaigners say they fear the new drug – which can be used two days later than those already on offer – will promote "casual sex".
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The Co-operative Pharmacy has launched a trial of new morning-after pill EllaOne at 40 high street branches across England and Wales, of which two are in Plymouth.
The two nominated pharmacies, at Torridge Way in Efford, and Wolseley Road in St Budeaux, will trial EllaOne, which can be taken within 120 hours of having unprotected sex, under a patient group directive.
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The pharmacy is the first chain to trial the drug without the need for a GP prescription. The medication can instead be supplied by a qualified healthcare professional, such as a pharmacist, following consultation.
But Christine Hudson, a member of the Family Education Trust charity, described it as an early method of abortion – and said there was no evidence that these sorts of pills reduced unwanted pregnancies.
"It's yet one more pill on the market promoting a casual attitude to sex to young girls", she said.
"If a conception has occurred when the pill is taken then the mode of action of the morning-after pill is an abortifacient one."
The drug will be available for £30 and is only recommended for women aged 18 years or over.
Mrs Hudson slammed the trial as "irresponsible". She added: ""How are pharmacists going to be able to decide whether a girl is over 18? It's just facilitating casual sex which will always end in tears."
And Gary Streeter, Tory MP for South West Devon, had similar concerns.
"I think we've got to be very cautious about going down this road," he said.
"It's better to emphasise to young people that sexual relationships are far more fulfilling when they are long-term and loving and anything that promotes casual sex like this is unhelpful."
The most common morning-after pill, Levonelle One Step, can be taken up to 72 hours after intercourse.
A city GP told The Herald he believed most health practitioners would welcome EllaOne because it extended the period of choice for a woman.
He said: "You often find people are unsure what to do, or may have problems accessing advice over a weekend for example, so all this is doing is extending the period of choice. It's not always black and white.
"There is no evidence that the drug promotes casual sex. I don't think access to this will change people's behaviours. Having something effective up to five days after intercourse is clearly something we'd welcome as a group."
EllaOne works by stopping or delaying ovulation and works even if the egg is ready to be released.
Jane Devenish, clinical service pharmacist, at The Co-operative Pharmacy, added: "It is not our place to make a judgement on people's motives or lifestyles. Condoms remain the only form of long-term contraception that will protect against sexually transmitted infections and we advise women who have had unprotected sex to take a sexual disease test."
Comments
by leeroymeboy
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 3:52PM
“Mrs Hudson slammed the trial as "irresponsible". She added: ""How are pharmacists going to be able to decide whether a girl is over 18? It's just facilitating casual sex which will always end in tears."
- So this lady thinks that anyone under 18 should have to live with the consequences of un protected sex and should be denied this pill?! Forced to bring up a baby at such a young age just because it suits her religious BS.
Go away please Mrs Hudson.”
by niugnepyzarc
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 3:29PM
“gary streeter the same man who seems to think it should be a protected right for christians to be able to force there beliefs upon others.....see this past article, http://tinyurl.com/8ps95mk that made me laugh
`The cross-party group Christians in Parliament, which is headed by Gary Streeter, MP for South West Devon, was set up last year amid controversy over religious freedoms.
Controversial cases including wearing a cross at work through to refusing to conducting same-sex civil partnership ceremonies.
Its final report, published yesterday, found there is a "legal and cultural problem" where courts have "created
a hierarchy of rights" and companies, institutions and government "do not take sufficient action" to accommodate religious belief.
The committee of the inquiry took evidence from more than 50, mostly Christian, organisations.
In its findings, the inquiry blamed recent legislation for generating, rather than reducing, social tensions.`
The quote I found funny was `The committee of the inquiry took evidence from more than 50, mostly Christian, organisations.`
hardly an independent inquiry then was it gary? anyway I digress! the mans a religious nutjob and not fit therefore to hold public office!”
by Nevman
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 3:15PM
“@circles: In this case, "right wing" means Gary Streeter is a Conservative MP as well as a fundamentalist and the Family Education Trust has strong links to the Conservative Party (see the first link I posted).”
by niugnepyzarc
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 12:00PM
“Ah the Family Education Trust strikes again.
It is disturbing how much us political organizations are trying to impose there views even on other countries via backdoor organizations like this, its much like the Coalition for Marriage which is also funded by hardline American conservative organizations and is one of the biggest opponents to the change in the law to allow gay marriage in this country.
They need to mind their own business stop interfering with British politics and keep there religion orientated views to their own religions.
Im often wondered this, why is it Christians think they have the right to dictate the lifestyles of non Christians? Cant deny them that right though eh? theyll cry discrimination! (making a mockery of the term in the process)”
by Plymptonboy
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 11:55AM
“Casual sex whats that ?
Come to think of it whats sex ?”
by Vinnie_Gar
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 11:41AM
“Nevman
Thanks for the link - they're straight from the US tea party type fruitcakes.”
by circles1
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 11:34AM
“@Nev, why are god bothering people rightwing? what does that mean?”
by Nevman
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 11:13AM
“Once again, Plymouth's vociferous right-wing Christian minority get their propaganda posted straight into the Herald without any attempt at balanced reporting, and their overtly religious ties are kept hidden from readers:
http://tinyurl.com/9qmdat8
http://tinyurl.com/9xvj9c5
Is the Herald a newspaper, or an evangelical tract?”
by trudie2010
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 9:05AM
“You can do anything you want to, teenagers don't listen to adults, never have, never will!!”
by Vinnie_Gar
Tuesday, October 23 2012, 8:44AM
“Christine Hudson again.
Militant god botherer and anti-abortion activist trying to dictate how people should behave without having to trouble herself by being elected to any sort of public office.”