Morning after pill faces review
08:15 AEST Sun Jun 13 2004
The morning after pill could become a prescription-only drug again following a new review promised by federal Health Minister Tony Abbott.
The controversial Postinor-2 contraceptive pill was made available over the counter just six months ago when it was de-scheduled by the National Drugs and Poisons Schedule Committee (NDPSC), the Sun-Herald newspaper reported.
Mr Abbott told the newspaper he was concerned about reports that girls as young as 13 had requested the emergency contraceptive.
"The obvious thing is simply to restore the situation that existed before the de-scheduling," he told the Sun-Herald.
"I am by no means convinced that that was the right decision to make and I'm looking at what the government can do to reconsider the matter."
Mr Abbott said he wanted to ensure the drug was "not just something that people go and take like they might a vitamin tablet if they think they are getting sick".
He said pharmacist guidelines to counsel people requesting the drug were unrealistic.
The NDPSC made the morning after pill a Schedule 3 drug last October, making it available at pharmacies without a prescription from January 1.
Mr Abbott's comments were made ahead of proposed legislation to be introduced this week to give parents greater access to children's medical reports.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=10214
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