Morning after pills are available without a prescription to women who are 17 years of age or older. Such women can now walk into any pharmacy and simply buy the pill over-the-counter after presenting a proof of their age and paying the morning after pill price.
While some people support this move, many have serious doubts about the kind of impact it can have on the society.
People, who are in favor of over-the-counter access to the morning pill, believe that the pill will cause a significant reduction in the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions.
Non-prescription sales were allowed in the first place, keeping mind the nature of the action of the drug.
Morning after pill is most effective when taken immediately after an act of unprotected sex. Valuable time can be lost looking for a doctor to write a prescription. Also, getting a prescription can be an expensive affair costing anywhere between $35 and $250.
However, many people believe that the access to the pill should be controlled, as its easy availability will have a negative impact on the society.
These emergency birth control pills have many short term and long-term side effects. If used frequently, they can take a toll on a woman's health. The common side effects include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, diarrhea and irregular periods. It increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, which can even cause death.
Availability of the pill over-the-counter will expose young girls to major health hazards.
It is believed that the emergency contraceptive pill is a boon for women who are victims of rape, as they can terminate the unwanted pregnancy that may result from the incident. However, the critics believe that the pill can cause an increase in the number of cases of sexual violence against women.
People think that morning after pill will promote promiscuity and as a result, spread sexually transmitted diseases too. Morning after pills can only prevent pregnancies. They do not protect you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Teenage and young women need to be educated about the side effects and limitations of the morning after pill.
There isn't enough scientific evidence to suggest that a morning after pill can be taken by teens without a physician's supervision.
An approach that ensures safe and effective use of the pill is required. The pill is available "over-the-counter" only at licensed pharmacies and not at gas stations and convenience stores. This limits and regularizes the access to morning after pill.
