GP's 'dilemma' over contraceptive pill access

The contraceptive pill should be available at pharmacies without a GP prescription, including to some under-16s, suggests an NHS report.

A pilot scheme found a significant drop in emergency contraception after the launch of over-the-counter pill access.

The project looked at two London areas with high teenage pregnancy rates.

The report also suggests widening the service to include girls as young as 13 - two schemes currently offer this in the Isle of Wight and Manchester.

Doctor Barbara Murray said it presented ''a dilemma'' for GPs if the patient was under 16 years of age.