Morning-after pill over the counter at 12

Last updated at 15:22 10 April 2006


Girls as young as 12 are to be given the morning-after pill over the counter in chemists' shops across the country without the knowledge of their parents.

Under new rules, primary care trusts are free to provide the drugs if they identify a problem with underage pregnancies in their area.

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Previously, the free service was only available in a limited number of urban locations.

Critics have warned that providing easy access to emergency contraception would encourage more youngsters to have sex.

There were also concerns that pharmacies would not be able to provide the confidential advice available at GPs' surgeries and family planning clinics. The morning-after pill first became available for sale to adults over the counter at chemists in 2001.

Government-funded and organised Health Action Zones allowed some areas, including parts of Manchester, Hull and London to provide a free service to girls under 16.

But the new pharmaceutical contract, between the Government and chemists' representatives, allows primary care trusts to devise their own action plans to tackle underage pregnancy. Southern Norfolk Primary Care Trust - which plans a service in four towns - is believed to be the first to take advantage of this greater autonomy.

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