Today, the parliamentary health committee issued a positive opinion on the draft amendment to the Medicines Act, which stipulates that one of the hormonal contraceptives (ulipristal acetate) – the so-called morning-after pill.
Presenting the project to the committee, the Minister of Health, Izabela Leszczyna, recalled that in January 2015, by decision of the European Medicines Agency, a single medicine containing ulipristal acetate was assigned the availability category: issued without a prescription.
Non-reflective EU patterns
Exactly this tablet containing this active substance is available without a prescription in 25 member states of the European Union. A prescription is only required in Poland and Hungary. We decided that the introduction of this additional restriction in 2017, by the decision of the then parliamentary majority, was harmful to the health and lives of women.
– she noted.
She explained that we all want to eliminate unwanted pregnancies and illegal, clandestine abortions, which – as she said – are often dangerous to a woman’s health or life.
To prevent this, two things are necessary. Sex education is necessary and accessible, safe contraception is necessary. Unfortunately, in Poland we don’t actually have any of these things
– complained the Minister of Health.
READ ALSO: What else will they come up with? For Kotula, the morning-after pill is protection for young people. “If every 15-year-old girl had the right to sex…”
Unity of government voices
She added that the draft amendment was unanimously adopted by the Council of Ministers.
This tablet has no premature abortifacient effect. The effect of this pill is that it prevents the formation of an embryo and prevents fertilization. The sooner a girl or woman takes this pill, the smaller the chance of conception
– claimed the head of the Ministry of Health.
She also points out that the amendment contains an article on the delegation to the Minister of Health to issue a regulation whereby due to age, availability may be limited and a prescription may be required under certain circumstances. She recalled that in Poland, sexual intercourse before the age of 15 is considered a crime. Therefore, this age of 15 was considered the “necessary limit”.
No public hearing
During the committee’s work, the amendments submitted by PiS MPs were not adopted, including the amendment to increase the possibility of obtaining the morning-after pill without a prescription to 18 years. The motion to reject the draft amendment at first reading was also not adopted.
Former Health Minister Katarzyna Sójka was critical of the proposals of Donald Tusk’s government on this issue, arguing that a 15-year-old cannot buy a SIM card or use the services of a solarium on her own, but that the ‘morning after’ table will be within her reach after the government changes.
Previously, the morning-after pill was available, also for 15-year-old patients, but after consultation with a doctor, not only a gynecologist, but also a general practitioner, after a preliminary consultation.
– said Katarzyna Sójka.
These are even mental problems, if something bad were to happen to a teenager, although in the context of risky sexual behavior it would be good if an adult were aware and present
– explained the PiS MP.
The amendment tabled by Marcelina Zawisza (left), which deleted an article from the amendment, also received no support. 1 point 2, which would result in the abolition of the restriction on the provision of these types of medicines without a prescription.
During the committee, MPs also rejected a request for a public hearing, because this request had not been made in writing.
The amendment to the Pharmaceutical Act prepared by the government stipulates that one of the hormonal contraceptives (ulipristal acetate), i.e. the so-called morning-after pill.
The “morning after” pill is probably some kind of political debt that Donald Tusk owes to the left for supporting his government. This is evident in the explicit, thoughtless way in which changes are processed – even without a standard public hearing.
READ ALSO:
– KEP expert team: The use of morning-after pills is immoral because it involves the destruction of life
— Doubts about the morning-after pill. KPRP Minister: For the President, the age at which it will be available and whether it will be available with or without a prescription is crucial for the President
— Doubts about the morning-after pill. KPRP Minister: For the President, the age at which it will be available and whether it will be available with or without a prescription is crucial for the President
pn/PAP/politykazdrowotna.com
Source: wPolityce