Morning After Pill Decision Welcomed

A pharmacists union has welcomed the Irish Medicines Board decision to legalise the sale of a morning after pill without prescription.

The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU) today said the decision by the Irish Medicines Board (IMB) to allow the sale of the pill in pharmacists without a prescription was a "landmark decision for women".

"The IPU, on behalf of community pharmacists, has repeatedly called for this step. This is a landmark decision for women and an important one for Irish pharmacy as a profession," an IPU spokesperson said this morning.

Kathy Maher, Meath-based pharmacist and member of the IPU’s Executive Committee said: “Women in Ireland will now have prompt access to Emergency Hormonal Contraception. Community pharmacists are healthcare professionals with the skills and competence to dispense this medicine to patients, where appropriate and to provide relevant advice.

"Patient safety and personal sensitivity are paramount. As a profession we are committed and capable of delivering appropriate care for our patients.”

Also welcoming the announcement, IPU President, Darragh O’Loughlin, called for further extensions to freedoms for pharmacists, saying there were many medicines available from the pharmacist in other EU countries for which patients in Ireland currently required a prescription.

"These medicines have a good safety record and should be made available from pharmacists who are qualified health professionals.”

(DW)