Morning after pill gets better

The popular morning-after pill is now better, offering more protection and for a longer period, but users will have to pay more for the extra benefits.

Called emergency contraceptive or EC and locally available since 1992, the pill prevents pregnancy by making the lining of the womb hostile to the fertilised egg if used as soon as possible after sex.

A new pill that offers protection for up to five days and is twice as secure as the old brands, has been developed — but it costs three times more.

Currently, the emergency contraceptives available are only effective if taken within three days of having unprotected sex.

Pharmacies

A Population Services International study last year showed about 95 per cent of users get the pills from private pharmacies despite it being free of charge in public outlets.

In 2005, for example, the government procured 700,000 units to be distributed in health centres, most of which were never picked.

Although the new pill, called ellaOne, is only legally available in Europe and on prescription, this is not expected to last long.