The National Health Service found, based on results from a pilot program in London, that making contraceptives available to 16-year-olds without any need for a prescription has been very successful in preventing teens’ pregnancy.
Now a review of the pilot program, during which over-the-counter pills were made available in five high street pharmacies in London, suggests the age limit should be reduced to 13 and the plan should be expanded “across London and nationally.”
Based on the review by NHS South East London introduction of a national scheme “may help contribute to a reduction in teenage pregnancies.”
This is while health experts warn expanding the scheme would only relieve young girls of fears that their parents may find out about their illegitimate affairs and worsen the problem.
Professor David Paton from the University of Nottingham, who specializes in contraceptive policies, said the move would make young girls more inclined to increase sexual affairs rather than decrease them.
“There is clear evidence that it is unlikely to reduce teenage pregnancies. All the evidence is that greater provision has no impact on teenage pregnancies,” he said.
Britain has one of the highest rates of teenage pregnancy across the world.
The latest Office for National Statistics figures show a shocking 35.5 out of every 1,000 girls in Britain (equal to 34,633) become pregnant aged 15-17 years old.
This is while the ONS said the figure is a record low since 1969.
AMR/HE
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