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HealthIreland clears pharmacy contraception bill but rejects lower age limit
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Ireland's health minister has approved a pharmacy contraception bill but rejected opposition efforts to extend the free scheme to 16-year-olds and allow prescription-free access to the pill. The minister cited clinical advice as the reason for resisting these changes, maintaining the current age and prescription requirements. The decision reflects a compromise in Ireland's healthcare policy on reproductive health, balancing expanded access with medical oversight.
Source report
The Health Minister has cited clinical advice in rejecting opposition calls to extend the free contraceptive scheme to 16-year-olds and to allow access to the pill without a prescription.
The minister's stance comes amid growing pressure from opposition parties to broaden the scope of the current programme. The proposed changes would have lowered the age threshold for free contraceptives and removed the requirement for a prescription to obtain the pill.
However, the minister maintained that the existing policy is supported by medical guidance, and that any expansion must be carefully considered in line with clinical recommendations. No further details on the specific clinical advice were provided.
Source
EuractivWestern
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Ireland clears pharmacy contraception bill but rejects lower age limit