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| Plans for 'over-the -counter pill' Women could reportedly soon be able to get the pill over the counter without repeat visits to their GP under new proposals. Oral contraceptives are among a list of drugs which could be made more freely available, said the Medicines Control Agency (MCA). Women would still have to see their doctor initially because of the possible health risks associated with taking the pill. But afterwards they would be able to go to any pharmacist for further packets. Shadow health secretary Liam Fox told the Independent on Sunday that scrapping the repeat visits might put some women at risk. An MCA spokesman said no recommendations had yet been made. But he said a list had been drawn up by the Royal Pharmaceutical Society as part of consultation involving the agency and drug industry representatives. It was intended as an illustration of the kind of drugs which could be made more freely available, as proposed in the government NHS Plan. A streamlined reclassification of prescription-only drugs is expected by April. Manufacturers will then have to request reclassification of their products. An MCA spokesman told the paper that the change would not mean more patients paying for their drugs. "Any medicines which are currently available on NHS prescription will continue to be available by that route." However Mr Fox said he had misgivings about women not having to go back to their doctor for further prescriptions. He said: "This is yet another example of the government stealing Tory policies, but in the particular case of contraception, it would be a mistake to drop regular health checks on women." 3rd February 2002 |
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