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22. 02. 10. - 15:00

Little interest in morning-after contraceptive pill

Austrians have little interest in the morning-after contraceptive pill, according to Vorarlberg Pharmacy Chamber Vice President Christiane Körner.

She said today (Mon) that increased interest in it in Vorarlberg, following a recent change in regulations making it possible to purchase the pill without a doctor’s prescription, was not reflected in the rest of Austria.

Noting that there were no poll data available yet, she said the increased interest in Vorarlberg probably derived from the province’s proximity to Switzerland and Germany.
The situation in Vorarlberg, she claimed, was different to the rest of Austria.

Vorarlberg Pharmacy Chamber President Jürgen Rzehak said a survey by the chamber showed interest in the pill had increased by 30 per cent in the past two months in Vorarlberg but cautioned that there was usually increased interest in contraceptives during carnival months January and February.

He said customers at his pharmacy were making five to 10 inquiries a month about the pill, most of them women aged 17 to 30.

Vorarlberg People’s Party (ÖVP) health councillor Markus Wallner called on Social Democratic Health Minister Alois Stöger to reimpose the need for a doctor’s prescription for purchase of the pill.

He claimed indiscriminate use of the pill, which is high in hormones, posed a risk to young women’s health.

The pill has been available without a prescription as an "emergency medication" since December 2009.

The pill, which must be taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse, prevents a fertilised egg from attaching itself to the wall of a woman’s womb.

Austrian Times

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