THE First Minister has said she is “sympathetic” to a proposal to make the contraceptive pill available without a prescription during the coronavirus crisis.
Although it’s available from some pharmacies without a doctor’s line, it comes with a cost.
The Scottish Greens want it to be free as part of Minor Ailment Services offered by chemists across Scotland.
MSP Alison Johnstone has tabled an amendment to the emergency coronavirus legislation which will be discussed in Holyrood today.
She said the lockdown had made access to contraception difficult, which was a particular concern for victims of domestic abuse.
Johnstone said: “Allowing pharmacists to issue the contraceptive pill free of charge would remove barriers for women who need to access contraception at this most challenging time.”
She added: “Ministers have already announced that the minor ailment service offered by pharmacies has been extended during the emergency period.
“Allowing women to access the contraceptive pill through this service would provide a great relief for many, while at the same time relieving pressure on frontline GP services.
“There is particular concern that many women are more vulnerable to domestic abuse, including coercive control, as the lockdown period continues and access to contraception must be part of the support made available for those who need it, when they need it.”
Reform Scotland, who published a paper proposing the change last month, said it would be a “relatively straightforward step,” for the government.
The think tank’s research director Alison Payne said: “It has received backing from all opposition parties, and with today’s Green amendment we hope to see it supported universally.”
Speaking at the Scottish Government’s daily briefing, Nicola Sturgeon said it was being looked at by ministers. She also confirmed reports that the government could back plans to deny government money to companies registered in tax havens.
Asked about making the pill available without a prescription, the First Minister said: “I certainly have a lot of sympathy with that position.
“Obviously there’s a lot of amendments that we’re working through right now, I know there’s another amendment from the Greens on companies that operate in tax havens not getting support, again, that’s an amendment we’re very supportive of in principle.”
Meanwhile, Scottish Tory MSP Adam Tomkins is looking to amend the legislation to overturn the so called wedding bell ban.
He wants couples to be able to undertake formal marriage and civil partnership proceedings, providing they can be “done in accordance with attendance restrictions and social distancing measures”.
He said getting married was “a human right, and not one that should be restricted”.
Tomkins added: “There are plenty of places in Scotland where couples could safely get married, with the required three other people in attendance, and a necessary social distance.
“There are couples around Scotland who want to take this next step in their lives, and the Scottish Government should be now allowing them to do so.
“Lifting this wedding bells ban would go some way to achieving this.”
Labour’s Colin Smyth is looking to amend the legislation to make it illegal for firms to re-open until they have health protection measures in place.
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