Jacob Rees-Mogg has compared the morning-after tablet to abortion, as Boots introduced it has minimize the cost of the drug to £10.
The Commons Chief described the emergency contraceptive as an “abortifacient”, a term describing drugs which result in abortion.
He used to be asked for a debate on “proper funding and accessibility for women’s contraception and health services”, after Labour MP Dame Diana Johnson highlighted the “sexist surcharge” of prime prices a few pharmacies fee for the morning after tablet.
Boots previously refused to decrease the fee of the tablet in 2017, claiming doing so would “inspire inappropriate use”. The retailer later apologised for its “negative collection of words”.
A win for campaigners
In November it ran a Black Friday cut price at the emergency contraception, offering one version for fifty in keeping with cent off at £8, however refused to keep the fee in place after the deal.
However, in a win for campaigners, it has now introduced it is going to decrease the cost from £15.99 to £10.99.
The emergency contraceptive is offered by different retailers for round £FOUR, which campaigners say demonstrates the numerous mark up Boots imposed at the drug.
The British Being Pregnant Advisory Carrier, BPAS, which has known as for reasonable birth control, welcomed the announcement.
Clare Murphy, chief govt of BPAS, stated: “we are extremely joyful that Boots are doing the correct thing by way of girls and providing emergency birth control at a considerably more affordable worth, and we applaud their choice.
“the end of the grossly sexist surcharge on emergency contraception, regarding an enormous mark-up on a product most effective ladies want, is a victory.”
Cuts to public well being budgets
Dame Diana, Hull North MP, introduced the good fortune of the campaign within the Commons on Thursday.
“it is attention-grabbing to grasp that Superdrug are nonetheless charging £13.49 while on the Chemist4U website online you can get a popular emergency contraceptive at £3.99,” she said.
Dame Diana added: “the reason i am raising that is because of cuts to public health budgets and the fragmentation of the NHS, it has intended it is harder for women to get entry to birth control advice.
“i’m wondering if shall we have a debate about the file that the All-Birthday Party Parliamentary Staff on sexual and reproductive well being produced with clear suggestions approximately correct investment and accessibility for women’s birth control and well being services and products?”
Prevents pregnancy from beginning
Mr Rees-Mogg, a working towards Catholic who has previously expressed a robust anti-abortion perspective, answered: “the suitable honourable woman cannot expect me to speak in favour of abortifacients.”
The morning after pill is thought of as to be a contraceptive medication as it prevents being pregnant from beginning, as opposed to a technique of aborting a being pregnant.
A spokespman for Boots said: “as the UNITED KINGDOM’s major healthcare store, now we have an important role in making sure women’s health merchandise and services and products are accessible, while proceeding to maintain our professional level of care.
“In line with our dedication to assist more ladies access our morning after tablet provider with no trouble and comfort, from February we diminished the fee of this service. Prices for the provider, which contains expert consultation and advice, will get started from £10.”