Morning-after pill to be delivered by courier to your desk

 
16 April 2012

Women will in future be able to get the morning-after pill delivered by courier to their desks or home.

A new “pill-by-bike” service is being launched in London that means women don’t need to see their GP. Instead, they just fill out an online form that is assessed by a doctor and within two hours the pill is delivered.

The service costs £20 and is being offered by online medical practice DrEd.

However, critics say this speedy “contraception-by-courier” service will encourage underage sex by making the morning-after pill easier to obtain.

Norman Wells, from the Family Education Trust, said girls could easily lie about their age to access the pills.

Amit Khutti, DrEd founder, said dates of birth were requested during registration and patients needed a credit card, which would deter the very young.

In an interview with the Evening Standard, he said: “I don’t think this service is going to appeal to minors or encourage underage sex. For a start, you need to pay for the service and if you’re young there are a number of places you can already get the morning after pill free.

"At DrEd we’re keen to make health care more accessible and this new service is part of that commitment. Emergency contraception works better the sooner you take it, so having it delivered within two hours will make it more likely to be effective.”

The courier service will begin in London this month through Shutl, which delivers for Argos, Oasis and Maplin.

Mr Wells said the Pill had not reduced unintended pregnancies. “Instead, young people have been lulled into a false sense of security ... and become exposed to an increased risk of sexually transmitted infections,” he warned.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service also has an online service where women can request emergency contraception. They speak to a nurse by phone before it is delivered free of charge to their home.

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