The Editor, Sir:

I was recently privy to some information relating to the usage of the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP). I was quite surprised at the information gathered. ECP can be had over the counter and so droves of young women and not-so-young men purchase these pills on a regular basis.

It would appear that the information that is in the public sector is far less with regards to usage in the private sector. It is alleged that some men purchase these on a regular basis and give them to young women with the notion that they will not get pregnant. This leads me to the next point. When you have a few pharmacies in a given area selling more than 1,500 per month, then what do we have in the making on our hands?

Public education campaign

I believe the Ministry of Health needs to take a further look at the availability of the ECP with its over-the-counter status. There is an increasing trend in the use of the ECP, and it, therefore, follows that there will be an increasing trend in the incidence of STIs and HIV.

I believe the Ministry of Health needs to promote a public education campaign especially geared towards young women, telling them of the dangers of taking these ECP on a regular basis.

It has been shown that in countries where you can obtain ECP over the counter, there has been a dramatic increase of STIs.

Let us help to protect our young women who might not have a choice in the matter when given the ECP to protect them against pregnancy and no thought about the STIs and HIV.

Let the discussion begin with regard to the usage of the ECP, its increase in usage and how it reflects on the increase of STIs and other hormonal imbalance issues.

I am, etc.,

Z. WILLIAMS

zoncwil@hotmail.com