Women in England will soon be able to obtain the morning-after pill for free from pharmacies, a move aimed at improving access to emergency contraception. While this medication is already available at no cost from most GPs and sexual health clinics, getting it from a pharmacy has often depended on location and cost, with some women paying up to £30.The government hopes this initiative will reduce inequalities, particularly for women in disadvantaged areas, and ease pressure on GP services.What Is Emergency Contraception?Emergency contraception is used to prevent unwanted pregnancies after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. It is most effective when taken as soon as possible—ideally within 3 to 5 days. However, the effectiveness decreases with time.By making the morning-after pill widely available through the NHS, the government aims to remove barriers that many women currently face.Ending the ‘Postcode Lottery’Health Minister Stephen Kinnock emphasized that access to emergency contraception should not depend on a woman’s location or financial situation."Women across England face an unfair postcode lottery when seeking emergency contraception, with access varying dramatically depending on where they live," he said.Kinnock highlighted that the plan ensures all women can access this essential healthcare "when they need it, regardless of where they live or their ability to pay."Why This Change MattersImproved Accessibility – Many women struggle to access a GP or sexual health clinic in time to get emergency contraception. Offering it at pharmacies removes this obstacle.Reduced Health Inequalities – Women in lower-income areas often face financial barriers to purchasing the morning-after pill. This change ensures equal access.Less Pressure on GPs – By allowing pharmacies to provide free emergency contraception, GP appointments can be freed up for other medical needs.Part of a Larger Healthcare InvestmentThe initiative will be officially announced on Monday as part of a broader government investment in rebuilding community pharmacies.With this change set to take effect later this year, England is taking a significant step toward making emergency contraception more accessible, ensuring that all women have the right to make informed choices about their reproductive health without financial or geographical barriers.Women's Health ElsewhereWhile this step has been welcomed, in the US, women's health, especially the reproductive health has been a cause of concern. After Donald Trump's return and his second term, women have been panic buying birth control pills. As per Google data, birth controls and Plan B have trended higher than they have trended in June 2022, during the Roe v. Wade judgement, when it had been overturned. The Associated Press also reported that requests were made for long-term birth control and permanent sterilization across the nation since the election. Companies have told the AP that they have seen a spike in the number of orders, as high as 966% increase in sales from the week before in the 60 hours after the election. This is in the backdrop of anti-abortion advocacy that Trump and the party he represents, i.e. the Republican Party believes in. Recently, a bill was introduced by Republican Rep Emory Dunahoo who sought to criminalize most abortion from the moment of fertilization. It further expands Georgia's existing "personhood" law, which grants certain rights to the unborn children, such as tax breaks and child support. If passed, this law would make Georgia one of the strictest states on abortion, and joining at least five other states with similar personhood laws.At this moment, Georgia bans most abortions after a "detectable human heartbeat" is found, which can occur as early as six weeks into the pregnancy. This is also the phase when many women can even realize that they are pregnant. The law is among the strictest in the nation, though, anti-abortion advocates argue it does not go far enough.