Calls have been made for pharmacies in Scotland to be allowed to prescribe the contraceptive pill.
Minor ailment services have been expanded to allow chemists to distribute treatments for acne, head lice and diarrhoea.
Now think tank Reform Scotland is calling for this to be extended to the contraceptive pill to reduce pressure on the NHS.
Some pharmacies already provide the pill without a GP prescription, but this must be paid for.
Reform Scotland’s research director, Alison Payne, said: “Quite rightly, the Scottish Government is both trying to reduce pressure on primary care and the NHS in general during the coronavirus pandemic.
“It has expanded the availability of the minor ailment service, which we warmly welcome. We believe that the government could now add the birth control pill to the list of available products, to ensure that all women can access their pill without a prescription and without a payment.
“This can both reduce pressure on primary care and the likelihood of an increase in unplanned pregnancy, a risk which has been highlighted by the Scottish Government.”
