SCRAP VAT ON CONDOMS ..IT’S A TAX ON SAFE SEX
Irish chemists in bid to stop spread of STIS
VAT on condoms should be scrapped because it is a tax on safe sex, it was claimed yesterday.
Chemists around the country advised the Government to make the change in the Budget to help reduce unplanned pregnancies and the spread of STIS.
Caitriona O’riordan of the Irish Pharmacy Union added: “The Government has a stated objective to improve access to contraception and to reduce the rate of unplanned pregnancy, this also aligns with the strategy to improve sexual health in Ireland.
“There is currently a VAT rate of 13.5% on condoms, which is counterproductive and goes against these ambitions. This is essentially a tax on safe sex, and we are calling on the Finance Minister to abolish this tax in the upcoming Budget.
“Condoms are the best protection against sexually transmitted infections and can reduce the risk of unplanned pregnancies. Reducing the cost of condoms and improving ease of access will increase their use, particularly among younger adults where cost has the biggest impact.”
The pre-budget Submission also calls on the Government to let women get the Pill directly from their community pharmacist without prescription or charge.
Ms O’riordan said: “There are no clinical reasons why oral contraceptives should still require a prescription.
“It is one of the safest and most well-studied medicines available.
“The IPU believes allowing pharmacists to work to their full scope will deliver better patient outcomes.
“The challenge now is to ensure community pharmacy is empowered to deliver more for patients and the public into the future.
“Increasing access to contraception through pharmacies will be another step towards achieving this aim.”