Morning-after pill price cut by half

A HIGH street chain is selling a cheap version of the morning after pill, halving the cost of emergency contraception to just £13.49.

The move by Superdrug, which is likely to be followed by other retailers, will increase access to the drug, experts said.

Critics last night warned the step would encourage risky sexual behaviour and increase rates of sexually transmitted disease, which the morning-after pill cannot protect against.

But family planning experts praised the ‘trailblazing’ move.

Until now only branded versions of the hormonal drug levonorgestrel were available in major shops, costing between £25 and £30. Superdrug said 200 stores were now selling the generic version, which will be available on its website in the autumn.

Emergency contraception is offered on prescription at GP surgeries and family planning clinics, often for free, but experts say many young women are put off discussing their sexual health with a doctor.

Ann Furedi, chief executive of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service, said: ‘We are delighted Superdrug has taken this trailblazing step, and look forward to other major retailers following its lead.

‘We know the high cost of emergency contraception can be a major barrier to women accessing it when their regular method fails. There is frankly now no excuse for others not to do the same.’

But Dr Peter Saunders, of the Christian Medical Fellowship, said widening access to the drug ‘will raise rates of sexually transmitted infections’.

He added: ‘This is because it lulls women and girls into a false sense of security leading to more risk taking.’