Access to emergency contraception, or the morning after pill, will become free for all women whatever their age, in pharmacies and without a prescriptionannounces the Minister of Health, François Braun, in an interview posted online this Tuesday evening by the daily 20 Minutes.
the screening for sexually transmitted infections will also be free and without a prescription up to the age of 26, and these two measures will be included in the 2023 social security financing bill, which will be presented to the Council of Ministers on September 26.
“With regard to female contraception, we are strengthening (…) the protection of women by facilitating their access to emergency contraception (or the morning after pill) in pharmacies, free of charge and without a prescription, at any age”, announces Mr. Braun. Until now, the morning after pill was available free of charge and without a prescription. only for minorsat pharmacies, school nurses or in screening or sexual health centres, and for female students of legal age.
At a time when we are witnessing the rise of conservatism in Europe and around the world, gender equality and women’s right to control their bodies are absolute priorities.
The cost in pharmacies for adults varied between three and twenty euros depending on the medication, with the possibility of partial coverage by social security on presentation of a prescription. “The government is taking concrete action to ensure that women no longer give up emergency contraception for financial reasons, the main reason for giving up among women”, commented in a press release Isabelle Rome, Minister Delegate for Equality between Women and Men.
“At a time when we are witnessing the rise of conservatism in Europe and around the world, our government is once again demonstrating that gender equality and the right of women to dispose of their bodies are absolute priorities”, she added.
An increase in infections
Regarding STI screening, only that of HIV was so far free. “From now on, the possibility of screening will be extended to all sexually transmitted infections to fight as early as possible against (the) resumption of infections”, explains François Braun in 20 Minutes. The minister makes the observation of “the increase in sexually transmitted infections, specifically chlamydia and gonococcus” and believes that “all areas of prevention must be improved” because “France is lagging behind other European countries. Only 2% of our budget is devoted to prevention compared to 4% for our neighbours”. As for the reasons, “it is very complicated” to know them, he admits, referring to “a lack of prevention, information or a more general relaxation”.