PHARMACISTS in Ireland are renewing their push for the oral contraceptive pill to be made available over-the-counter (OTC), after witnessing a 10% drop in dispensing of the medicine since the start of the COVID-19 crisis.
The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) also reported a significant decline in the number of women seeking emergency contraception, following the out-break of the virus in Ireland.
IPU Executive Committee Member, Caitriona O'Riordan, said women needed to be made aware that pharmacists were able to extend the maximum validity of a prescription for "the pill" from six months to nine, and that emergency contraceptives are available OTC in pharmacies.
"There could be a number of reasons why fewer women are currently accessing the pill," she said.
"Some may be wary of moving around and visiting a pharmacy, while others may have already finished their six-month prescription and don't realise that pharmacists can currently extend this.
"We want to reassure everyone that pharmacies are open and operating as normal; they have also put in place stringent physical distancing measures to ensure there is no risk to patients.
"Pharmacists have previously called for the pill to be made available in pharmacies without prescription.
"The drop in use that we are seeing at the moment further emphasises the importance of improving access to contraception.
"This is about giving choice to women, and pharmacists are happy to offer that choice currently; we hope it can be enhanced in future."
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