UNITED KINGDOM — The College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare released survey data and is calling for oral emergency contraception to be reclassified for over-the-counter sales in shops across the UK. Reclassification under the general sales list would permit it to be sold directly from shops.

The College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare stated that any rollout of wider availability should not replace existing pathways to access free oral emergency contraception. The organization also indicated that detailed printed or digital information should be provided to everyone buying oral emergency contraception.

A survey conducted by YouGov among 2,115 people in the UK showed nearly two-thirds of respondents believed they would struggle to access emergency contraception after 10 p.m. Additionally, 48% of respondents thought it would be difficult to obtain emergency contraception on a Sunday. Londoners were the most likely to think access to emergency contraception would be possible on a Sunday or after 10 p.m., while respondents in the south-west of England, Northern Ireland, and Wales most commonly believed it would be difficult to access on a Sunday.

Only 7% of respondents believed it would be difficult to access emergency contraception during the daytime on a weekday. Respondents in the south-west or east of England were most likely to believe it would be hard to find emergency contraception at night. Overall, 61% of respondents supported wider retail availability for emergency contraception, with that figure rising to 75% among respondents aged 18 to 34.

Emergency contraception is currently available at high street pharmacies, sexual health clinics, GP surgeries, and NHS walk-in centers. It is not stocked alongside over-the-counter medicines at corner shops, petrol stations, and supermarkets.

Zara Haider, President of the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare, commented on the findings. Haider said, "Women shouldn’t have to navigate unnecessary hurdles to get emergency contraception, particularly when time matters." She added, "The decision to prevent an unintended pregnancy is a basic human right and should not depend on the day of the week, the time of day, your postcode or whether the local pharmacy happens to be open."

The proposal to reclassify emergency oral contraception is supported by other organizations, including the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, MSI Reproductive Choices, and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service.

Why It Matters

The call for reclassification of oral emergency contraception to allow over-the-counter sales directly from shops addresses perceived accessibility issues across the UK, especially during evenings and weekends. The survey results indicate that a large portion of the public believes access to be challenging during these times. Support for wider retail availability was observed across different age groups and regions, with the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare emphasizing that this change should complement, rather than replace, existing free access points. Several other key medical and reproductive health organizations have also voiced their support for the reclassification.