PHARMACISTS across Ireland are pushing the government to provide a free contraceptive service to women in chemists around the country.
A report from The Irish Times suggests that the pill, patches and rings would be funded by the State and made available free and without a prescription.
The proposal by the Irish Pharmacy Union has been made to the Department of Health.
It is believed that GP’s will strongly resist the proposals.
The proposal includes extra training for pharmacists along international guidelines to be able to supply free hormonal contraceptives to women.
The IPU also proposes that girls under the age of 17 would not be allowed access to the scheme but women would not be required to have previously been prescribed a contraceptive.
Minister for Health Simon Harris has previously established a women’s sexual health group in his department to formulate proposals on a programme of free contraception for women.
However, changes to the way that oral contraceptive pills are provided to women would require legislative change.
