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GPs sidestepped as contraceptives can be bought on internet
23-Jun-08
Women in the UK can now buy the oral contraceptives over the internet, sidestepping the need to see her GP.
Online medical service DrThom is now selling women three-month supplies of the combined pill and the mini pill for £29.99.
Only women over-18 who have taken the pill before are currently able to buy the prescription medicine online, but DrThom plans to expand this to women who have never taken the oral contraceptive pill before.
‘Our specialist service is ideal for a woman living a long way from her GP or a woman who is too busy because of work or childcare to take the time to visit her GP,' said Dr Thomas van Every, medical director of the company.
Women will have to fill in an online questionnaire on the patient's general health and previous use of the Pill. DrThom's doctors will then decide whether or not to prescribe the medication, giving their name and GMC number.
If rolled out to women who have never used the Pill before, a BP reading will also be needed, says DrThom.
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Comments
Adam Janjua
23/06/2008
Who will be checking the blood pressure?? Stupid and expensive alternative to visiting the GP!
Rupen Kulkarni
24/06/2008
When you get your contraception for free with a safety check and ongoing monitoring, why would you want to spend close to £120 a year on the pills alone??????
sarah denness
24/06/2008
As a specialist practice nurse and idependant prescriber I am very concerned about this service. Firstly I wasnt aware of how modern technology has developed so much the we can now take a blood pressure online!?? Also the current guidelines do state that suitable patients can have 12 months supply of thier pill. I am passionate about assessment of my patients to make sure that they have been given all the most up to date advice and choices. It not just about contraception, what about sexual health?.
ailsa maguire
28/06/2008
The UK has such a high unwanted pregnancy rate not helped by the huge number of women who get pregnant whilst taking the Pill because they are doing so incorrectly. It is our job as health care professionals to educate and provide alternative methods of contraception and monitor women on the PIll which will be lost if they can access the Pill on the net.
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