Call For Morning After Pill To Be Made Available Over Counter To Medical Card Holders

The morning after pill should be available over the counter, chemists have claimed.

The Irish Pharmacy Union claims the morning after pill should be available under the medical card scheme.

A survey by the union found that 18 per cent of women with a medical card chose to buy their emergency contraception from a chemist as opposed to getting it free on prescription from their GP, the Irish Sun reports.

The morning after pill can work up to 72 hours after unprotected sex, but early intervention is key and it is most effective within the first 24 hours.

IPU vice-president Kathy Maher said a service for the morning after pill should be put in place for medical card patients.

"It's important to stress that ths medication is for emergencies only," she said at the union's national conference in Kildare.

"Pharmacists offer a thorough confidential consultation with the patient before the medication can be provided."

The survey revealed Monday morning was the most common morning to buy the pill. 

The survey showed that women aged 18-24 made up almost half (47 per cent) of consultations for the morning after pill and women between the ages of 25 and 30 made up 23 per cent.

Seventy-eight pre cent of consultations take place within 12 hours of intercourse and Monday was the most common day to buy the pill, with the largest numbers recorded in urban areas like Dublin and Cork.