§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement about proposals to make emergency contraception available over the counter without prescription from dispensing chemists. [126112]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 20 June 2000]: The Medicines Control Agency is presently consulting on an application to reclassify levonorgestrel 0.75 milligrammes for emergency contraception from prescription only to pharmacy availability for women aged 16 years and over. This follows independent expert advice from the Committee on Safety of Medicines. The consultation period ends on 29 June 2000. The responses will then be considered by the Medicines Commission and their recommendations presented to Ministers for a decision.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made with pilot schemes for the prescription of emergency contraceptives by pharmacists; and when emergency contraception will be more widely available. [126997]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 21 June 2000]: There are currently two pilot schemes run by health action zones (HAZs) in Manchester, Salford and Trafford (MST) and Lambeth, Southwark and Lewisham (LSL) where emergency contraception is supplied by pharmacists, under a patient group direction. Both pilots form part of the HAZ's overall strategy to reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies locally. Both pilots are to be fully evaluated and the results will be published.
The Medicines Control Agency is presently consulting on an application to reclassify levonorgestrel 0.75 milligrammes for emergency contraception from prescription only to pharmacy availability for women aged 16 years and over. The consultation period ends on 29 June 2000. The responses will then be considered by the Medicines Commission and their recommendations presented to Ministers for a decision.
In addition the Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Strategy is looking at improving access to services including emergency contraception products.