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The morning after pill should be reclassified as a General Sales List medicine, the College of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (CoSRH) has said as it reported that many women encounter barriers when trying to access emergency contraception.

The organisation’s comments came after a YouGov survey found that 43 per cent of the population believe it would be difficult to access EHC on a Sunday, while 65 per cent believe it would be difficult after 10pm.

CoSRH said EHC should be reclassified as GSL “allowing it to be sold directly from shops and retailers, much like paracetamol”.

It said the recent survey showed 61 per cent of the public would support this proposal, rising to 75 per cent of 18 to 34-year-olds.

CoSRH president Dr Zara Haider commented: "Emergency contraception is a safe and effective but time-sensitive method of contraception. Yet these findings show that a significant number of people are worried they won't be able to get it when they need it. 

“The decision to prevent an unintended pregnancy is a basic human right and should not depend on the day of the week, the time of day, your postcode or whether the local pharmacy happens to be open.

“Women shouldn't have to navigate unnecessary hurdles to get emergency contraception, particularly when time matters. Making it available alongside condoms and pregnancy tests in shops and other retailers is a simple fix, one that would give women greater control over their reproductive health and, crucially, has the backing of the majority of the public.”