Key facts
- Nearly half of UK adults believe emergency contraception would be difficult to access on a Sunday.
- Two-thirds of people anticipate difficulty obtaining emergency contraception after 10 pm.
- The College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare is campaigning to reclassify oral emergency contraception for direct sale in retail outlets.
- A survey found 61% of the public support wider retail availability of emergency contraception.
- The proposal is backed by a coalition of women's health charities and medical colleges.
A survey conducted by YouGov for the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare has revealed significant public concern regarding access to emergency contraception in the UK. The research indicated that nearly half of the UK population believes it would be difficult to access emergency contraception on a Sunday, and almost two-thirds anticipate struggles obtaining it after 10 pm. Conversely, only 7% of respondents felt weekday daytime access would be challenging.
The College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare is advocating for oral emergency contraception to be reclassified under the general sales list, which would permit its sale directly from retail outlets such as corner shops, supermarkets, and petrol stations, similar to over-the-counter medications like paracetamol. Currently, emergency contraception is available through high street pharmacies, sexual health clinics, GP surgeries, and NHS walk-in centres, but not in a wider retail setting.
Geographically, residents in the south-west of England, Northern Ireland, and Wales were most likely to express concerns about Sunday access, while those in the south-west and east of England were most worried about nighttime availability. Londoners were comparatively more optimistic about Sunday and late-night access.
The survey also highlighted strong public backing for increased retail availability, with 61% of all respondents in favor, a figure rising to 75% among individuals aged 18 to 34. Dr. Zara Haider, President of the College, described the proposed reclassification as a "simple fix" that would allow for more readily available access, akin to condoms and pregnancy tests. She emphasized that obtaining emergency contraception should not be hindered by logistical barriers such as the day or time of access, or geographical location, calling it a basic human right.
This proposal has garnered support from a coalition of women's health charities and medical colleges, including the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, MSI Reproductive Choices, and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service. The College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare has stipulated that any implementation should not compromise existing pathways for free emergency oral contraception and must include comprehensive printed or digital information for users, covering appropriate use, drug interactions, alternative methods, and referrals to sexual health services.