Free morning after pill request in Aust

Published: 1:13PM Tuesday May 13, 2008 Source: AAP

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The morning after pill should be available free to women to help deal with unplanned pregnancies, an Australian reproductive health group says.
  
Marie Stopes International made the call following a decision by the New Zealand government to provide free contraceptives through pharmacies.
  
Unplanned pregnancy was a key health issue and a reality for more than 50% of Australian women, the organisation said.
  
"More needs to be done to reduce this statistic," manager Jill Michelson said in a statement.
  
"New Zealand has acknowledged that they have a high rate of unplanned pregnancies, especially among teenagers, and they are doing something about it.
  
"It is high time the Australian government does the same and starts helping women manage their fertility."
  
Emergency contraception - also known as the morning-after pill - has been available over the counter without a doctor's prescription for between $20 and $30 since 2004.
  
The method is 95% effective if taken up to 24 hours after unprotected sex and can be taken up to five days after intercourse.
  
As well as providing free contraceptives there should be more education about contraception, Marie Stopes International said.
  
A recent study by the organisation found more than half of Australian women who unexpectedly became pregnant were either on the pill or using condoms.
  
Of the 2,041 participants, 1,033 confirmed having had an unplanned pregnancy with 60% saying they were using at least one form of contraception at the time.

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