Dear John,
Despite calls from thousands of our supporters, MPs, healthcare bodies, and campaigners, Boots have refused to retain a fairer price for emergency contraception.
We are disappointed, but sadly we are not surprised.
Boots ran a “Black Friday” 50% discount on emergency hormonal contraception, allowing women to purchase the generic version Levonorgestrel 1500mcg for £8 from their website. However, the price has now increased back to £15.99.
Women needing levonorgestrel EC who have a BMI of over 26 or weigh more than 11 stone, and those on certain medications, must purchase a double dose pack which costs £31.98 for the generic and £56.50 for the branded version, Levonelle.
That's almost £60 to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.
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There is absolutely no justification for these outrageous prices. Much smaller retailers provide the same medication for less than a third of the amount high-street giants are charging. Boots had the opportunity to show a commitment to the reproductive wellbeing of the communities they serve, but sadly this has not been taken.
Now that Boots have doubled the price of emergency contraception, BPAS will double our efforts to make this medication accessible for all those who need it, all year round. Alongside this, we will continue to campaign for properly funded sexual health services, so that women can access the full range of contraceptive options on the NHS.
Thank you to all those who took action. We may not have won this battle, but the fight goes on.
Best wishes,
BPAS
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Become a Friend of BPAS to support our work
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You can support our work defending and extending reproductive rights by becoming a Friend of BPAS, from as little as £2 per month.
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 We Trust Women
Under a law from 1861 any woman in Great Britain can go to prison at any gestation for ending a pregnancy without the permission of two doctors. MPs support change, but we need the opportunity to make it happen. We are considering several legislative routes.
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 Preventing clinic protests
Anti-abortion activism targeted at clinics is on the rise in the UK. We are working to introduce buffer zones around abortion clinics to protect women and staff from intimidation and harassment. So far two buffer zones have been introduced, and more are in the pipeline.
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 Fighting the two-child benefits cap
The two-child benefits cap pushes families into poverty and impacts women's reproductive decisions. We are working with other UK charities to fight it. Read our briefing here.
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 Just Say Non!
Our campaign for accessible emergency contraception has seen prices slashed across major pharmacy chains. We're now working to make it available straight from the pharmacy shelf, without a mandatory consultation – as already happens in the USA, Canada, and many European countries.
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 Improving access to contraception
We're working with pharmacists nationwide to improve access to several methods of contraception, including the injection and the pill.
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 Working with women in prisons
Our contraceptive counselling & well woman advice service in Europe's largest women’s prison, HMP Bronzefield, was an RCNi Nurse Awards finalist. We provide confidential, non-judgemental counselling & education to aid women's wellbeing & rehabilitation.
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 Decriminalisation further afield
We’ve been working with pro-choice campaigners and the governments of the Isle of Man and Gibraltar to change their laws outlawing abortion and help them provide care for their citizens.
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 Wrisk
Women who are pregnant or planning a pregnancy are bombarded with public health messages, for example about what to eat, drink, how much they should weigh, and what medications they should or shouldn’t take. The WRISK project aims to understand and improve the communication of risk in pregnancy, to make things better for women.
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