Superdrug set to sell their own brand morning after pill for £13 – HALF the price of current drugs
The pill contains the same active ingredient as branded Levonelle, which costs around £27
SUPERDRUG has become the first High Street store to launch its own version of the morning after at half the price of branded tablets.
The emergency contraception is being sold for £13.49 in more than 200 of its pharmacies and will be available via its website this autumn.
The retailer says the move offers women “more choice and accessibility”.
But critics warn selling the pill at “pocket money prices” will encourage risk taking and could lead to a rise in conceptions and sexually transmitted infections.
Superdrug’s pill contains the same active ingredient as branded product Levonelle, which costs around £27.
Women can buy the drugs following a short consultation with a pharmacist in store or by completing an online form, which is reviewed by a medic.
Emergency contraception is also available for free from GPs or sexual health clinics.
The pill is taken to prevent an unwanted pregnancy within 72 hours of unprotected sex or when regular contraception has failed.
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It works by delaying the ovaries from releasing an egg and experts advise it is taken as soon after sex as possible.
Dr Peter Saunders, from the Christian Medical Fellowship, said: “Making the emergency contraceptive available cheaply or free lulls people into a false sense of security.
“People will be encouraged to take risks, thinking they can take a pill the morning after, but there is no guarantee it will prevent a pregnancy.
“When you make pills available like this, levels of STIs will go up and you will get more conceptions.
“It’s like lining up a row of ambulances at the bottom of a cliff, rather than putting up a fence at the top.”
Michael Henry, from Superdrug, said: “We’re committed to leading the way in sexual health and offering a generic emergency contraceptive pill at half the price of what’s currently available on the high street.
“Its availability will give women more choice and access to this medication at a time when they are most in need.”
This is a very positive move to help customers access effective emergency contraception without having to consider compromising on quality or cost
Dr Pixie McKenna
Dr Pixie McKenna, a GP who features on Channel 4 series Embarrassing Bodies, said: “Emergency contraception is almost inevitably needed at times when the surgery doors are shut.
“As it is a time sensitive issue, quick and discreet access is imperative.
“This is a very positive move to help customers access effective emergency contraception without having to consider compromising on quality or cost.”
Ann Furedi, from 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.
“Superdrug has illustrated that where appropriate it's perfectly possible to sell this safe and effective medication to women at a significantly more affordable price than is currently on offer.
“There is frankly now no excuse for others not to do the same.
“We will keep campaigning on this issue until all retailers do the right thing and offer women a fairly priced product, as Superdrug is doing today.”
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