UK Survey: Nearly Half See Sunday Emergency Contraception Access as Difficult, 7% See Weekday Problems

A YouGov survey of 2,115 people across the UK found that almost half believe it would be difficult to access emergency contraception on a Sunday. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said they would struggle to obtain it after 10pm. Only 7% thought access would be difficult during weekday daytime hours.

The College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare released the data and is calling for oral emergency contraception to be reclassified under the general sales list. This change would allow sales directly from shops in the same manner as paracetamol or antihistamines.

The college stated that any rollout must preserve existing free access routes and include printed or digital information on use, interactions, alternatives, and STI testing.

Sixty-one percent of respondents supported wider retail availability. Support reached 75% among those aged 18 to 34. People in the south-west of England, Northern Ireland, and Wales most often viewed Sunday access as difficult, while those in the south-west or east of England most often expected problems at night.

Londoners were the most likely to believe access would remain possible on Sundays or after 10pm. Dr Zara Haider, president of the college, said making the medicine more readily available in shops would be a simple fix. She stated that stocking the drugs in retail outlets would give women greater control over their reproductive health.

The proposal is backed by the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, MSI Reproductive Choices, and the British Pregnancy Advisory Service.