Call for morning-after pill access

Young women should be given access to the morning-after pill to keep at home in case they need it, a watchdog has said.

Pharmacies in particular are being targeted as places where the under-25s can get emergency contraception in advance, according to the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice), which published the guidelines.

It is the first time Nice has called for such a move as part of a bid to improve access to all types of contraception.

It said young men and women should also be able to access contraception, including condoms "in a range of types and sizes", at convenient locations, such as schools and youth clubs. The draft guidance comes just hours after the UK's first TV commercial for abortion services was screened.

The ad for unplanned pregnancy and abortion advice at Marie Stopes clinics has sparked controversy, including opposition from the charity Life, which has written to Ofcom about the issue.

The Nice guidance said doctors, nurses and pharmacies should "ensure all young women are able to obtain free emergency hormonal contraception, including advance provision". But staff are also told to encourage young women to discuss their contraceptive needs, and offer them a range of choices, including long-acting contraceptives such as jabs.

Young women should be "advised that emergency contraception is more effective the sooner it is used" while an intrauterine device is more effective in an emergency but can also be used long-term, Nice said. Young women should also be "given information about the limitations of emergency hormonal contraception as a primary method".

The guidance says all sexual health bodies which provide contraception should endeavour to offer young people a full range, at convenient opening times.

On condoms, it said health workers should "encourage all young people to use condoms and lubricant in every sexual encounter, irrespective of their other contraceptive choices, because condoms help to prevent the transmission of sexually-transmitted infections".

It added: "Condoms should be provided alongside other methods of contraception."