‘Stock Up on Morning-After Pill’ Sparks Row

A ROW has broken out after a Midland sex health centre urged young women to stock up on the morning after pill this Christmas BEFORE they have sex.

The emergency contraception is usually only available in extreme circumstances.

But the Brook clinic, in Birmingham, is advising women to stock up in the run-up to the festive party season.

“Many people use condoms very successfully but accidents can happen,” said chief executive Penny Barber. “The sooner emergency contraception is used, the more effective it is. This could be useful over the holiday season when services are reduced.” Brook has 40 years’ experience of providing advice through specially trained doctors, nurses, counsellors, and outreach workers.

They want to counter rocketing rises in abortions, which have been seen at Birmingham clinics following the festive season in recent years.

But Norman Wells, spokesman for campaign group Family and Youth Concern, was outraged. “It’s encouraging a casual approach to the drug when the long-term effect of repeated use is unknown,” he said.

“When the morning-after pill was first approved, assurances were given that it would be used only in exceptional circumstances and would remain a prescription-only drug.”

(c) 2007 Sunday Mercury; Birmingham (UK). Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.