§ Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what research has been commissioned of the safety of post-coital contraception with respect to girls aged(a) 12 years to 14 years and (b) 14 years to 16 years; and if he will make a statement. [146771]
§ Yvette Cooper[holding answer 23 January 2001]: Once a young woman becomes fertile, the Faculty of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care advise that there are no physiological reasons why emergency contraception should not be used if she is at risk of pregnancy because she has had unprotected sex.
The safety profile of EHC is believed to be similar in those under 16 years of age to those over 16. Emergency contraception has been used worldwide, including by women aged under 16, since the 1980s, and no major safety concerns have arisen.
Clinical trials for new drugs are not routinely conducted on young people under 16 unless there is a specific indication such as childhood leukaemia.
§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2001,Official Report, column 484W, what guidance he has given to schools regarding the potential liability of school staff who dispense emergency contraception to girls under the age of 16 years in the event of medical complications arising as a result of the emergency contraception. 1150085]
§ Yvette CooperEmergency contraception in schools can be provided only by school nurses with a family planning background and specialised training to work under patient group directions. School nurses in maintained schools are employed by the National Health Service. Potential liability is covered by the arrangements of the NHS body concerned.