Jacob Rees-Mogg has compared the morning-after pill to abortion, as Boots announced it has cut the price of the drug to £10.
The Commons Leader described the emergency contraceptive as an “abortifacient”, a term describing drugs which induce abortion.
He was 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 high prices some pharmacies charge for the morning after pill.
Boots previously refused to lower the cost of the pill in 2017, claiming doing so would “encourage inappropriate use”. The retailer later apologised for its “poor choice of words”.
A win for campaigners
In November it ran a Black Friday discount on the emergency contraception, offering one version for 50 per cent off at £8, but refused to keep the price in place after the deal.
However, in a win for campaigners, it has now announced it will slash the price from £15.99 to £10.99.
The emergency contraceptive is offered by other retailers for around £4, which campaigners say demonstrates the significant mark up Boots imposed on the drug.
The British Pregnancy Advisory Service, BPAS, which has called for affordable contraception, welcomed the announcement.
Clare Murphy, chief executive of BPAS, said: “We are delighted that Boots are doing the right thing by women and providing emergency contraception at a significantly more affordable price, and we applaud their decision.
“The end of the grossly sexist surcharge on emergency contraception, involving a huge mark-up on a product only women need, is a victory.”
Cuts to public health budgets
Dame Diana, Hull North MP, announced the success of the campaign in the Commons on Thursday.
“It is interesting to know that Superdrug are still charging £13.49 whereas on the Chemist4U website you can get a generic emergency contraceptive at £3.99,” she said.
Dame Diana added: “The reason I am raising this is because of cuts to public health budgets and the fragmentation of the NHS, it has meant it is more difficult for women to access contraception advice.
“I wonder if we could have a debate about the report that the All-Party Parliamentary Group on sexual and reproductive health produced with clear recommendations about proper funding and accessibility for women’s contraception and health services?”
Prevents pregnancy from beginning
Mr Rees-Mogg, a practising Catholic who has previously expressed a strong anti-abortion viewpoint, replied: “The right honourable lady cannot expect me to speak in favour of abortifacients.”
The morning after pill is considered to be a contraceptive medicine because it prevents pregnancy from beginning, rather than a method of aborting a pregnancy.
A spokespman for Boots said: “As the UK’s leading healthcare retailer, we have an important role in ensuring women’s health products and services are accessible, whilst continuing to maintain our expert level of care.
“In line with our commitment to help more women access our morning after pill service with ease and convenience, from February we reduced the price of this service. Prices for the service, which includes expert consultation and advice, will start from £10.”
