Pediatricians’ group urges advance prescriptions of morning-after pills to teens
November 27, 2012
The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging doctors to prescribe morning-after pills to teenage girls “in advance of need.”
“Studies have shown that adolescents are more likely to use emergency contraception if it has been prescribed in advance of need," the academy said in a statement. "However, a majority of practicing pediatricians and pediatric residents do not routinely counsel patients about emergency contraception.”
The academy also called for “routine counseling and advance emergency-contraception prescription as one part of a public health strategy to reduce teen pregnancy.”
The morning-after pill is currently available over the counter to women 17 or older.
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Further information:
- Emergency contraception (American Academy of Pediatrics)
- Pediatrics group says morning-after pills should be prescribed in advance to teen girls (CBS)
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