For anyone that’s made that awkward lunch break trip to pick up the morning after pill only to be faced with a judgemental pharmacist and a large bill, you’ll know that accessing emergency contraception in the UK isn't exactly an easy, or pleasant experience.
Now, the British Pregnancy Advisory Service are calling for big changes to be made. BPAS have advised that the morning after pill should be made more readily-available and affordable, much like other over-the-counter drugs such as Aspirin or Paracetamol.
The two most popular morning after pill brands - Levonelle and ellaOne - are available for free at GPs and sexual health clinics, but for women you can't access these places in the time frame are forced to buy the pill at a high street pharmacist.
In some UK pharmacists women pay up to £30 for emergency contraception, five times more than their European neighbours. For example, in France women are able to access the drugs for as little at £6.
BPAS urged the government to end these extortionate prices, labelling them as a ‘sexist surcharge’.
Ann Furedi, BPAS chief executive also addressed the uncomfortable process women go through to get the pill. Furedi said it was ‘utterly stupid’ that women weren't trusted to make the decision about emergency contraception, and described the current consultation system as ‘unnecessary and embarrassing’.
Pharmacists have hit out at the idea and defended the need for consultation periods, in particular for vulnerable women or those who were victims of abuse.
'Having a discussion with the pharmacist is central to providing emergency contraception. It further supports a woman to consider her future use of contraception, her risk of sexually transmitted infections and help with any other sexual health questions she may have,' said Sandra Gidley, chairwoman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society's English Board.
READ MORE: Choosing The Right Hormonal Contraception For You