If the Polish government's proposed bill is approved by the Parliament, it will become available to women on a 'prescription only' basis.

The pill has been available on an 'over the counter' basis since 2015, following its authorisation by the European Commission.

The planned restriction would endanger the lives of women and girls by causing an increase in the number of unplanned pregnancies and abortions in a country where gaining access to a safe and legal abortion is already incredibly difficult.                            

It is also likely that due to the difficulties in accessing a doctor and attaining a prescription within the urgent timeframe required for the pills to be effective, the restriction would also contribute to sales of this product from unsafe secondary sources.

GUE/NGL Coordinator on the European Parliament's Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality, Malin Björk, comments: “I am deeply concerned that the Polish government continues its vicious attacks on women's rights. The government needs to wake up. It is 2017 and women should have the right to decide over their own bodies and their own sexuality.”

“We stand firmly by the side of Polish women and girls, and we will react to every action, project or law proposal that would negatively influence international progress on sexual and reproductive health and rights,” affirms the Swedish MEP.

 

GUE/NGL Press Contact:

Nikki Sullings  +32 22 83 27 60 / +32 483 03 55 75