Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1426475
13 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 7 NOVEMBER 2021 NEWS ly protects the person once, after which a condom should be used until the next period occurs. It doesn't protect against sexually transmitted diseases, and if pain persists, the person should seek medical attention because they could be dealing with an ectopic pregnancy." Stabile said the NGO felt strongly that the morning-after pill should be available over the counter to those aged 16 to 18. "The age of consent is 16; at 16, you can vote; why can you not buy the morning-after pill?" "Working in the field, I know that the most common age of first intercourse is 16 – so it is madness in a country where abortion is banned not to allow 16-18-year-olds to purchase the morning-after pill over the counter," she said. 'Many women don't know how to calculate when ovulation oc- curs' During this exercise, the caller came across a pharmacist who told them that if they were far away from ovulation, there was no need for the morning-after pill to be taken. Stabile said the problem with giving out such advice is that many women in Malta do not know how to calculate when their ovulation occurs. "Many women in Malta still don't understand their own bodies. Also, remember a lot of the time, it's hard to tell exact- ly when a women's next peri- od will occur. You can only be sure you will get pregnant in the first three days of your period. We recommend that to be sure women take the morning-after pill," Stabile advised. She also said the morning-af- ter pill at Mater Dei Hospital is not still available at the hospi- tal's 24-hour pharmacy. "While we have heard that women who are admitted for rape have re- ceived the morning-after pill – remember that most women who are raped are not admitted to hospital… This means that the majority of rape victims do not have access to the morn- ing-after pill." 'Personal beliefs should not be at the expense of the client' On conscientious objection, Stabile said she respected peo- ple's right to their own person- al beliefs. However, she main- tained it should never come at the expense of the client. All pharmacies on Sunday should sell the morning-after pill, she said. "I think in this case the sci- ence should be followed – as a professional one should be able to put science ahead of their per- sonal beliefs." However, Stabile said a com- promise would be for the phar- macy to put up a sign saying they don't sell the morning-after pill and give information on the nearest facility. Stabile reiterated that the morning-after pill was not abor- tive. It is not effective once fer- tilization has taken place since there is not enough time for it to prevent implantation. Do you want more informa- tion about the morning-after pills? Are you having difficulty buying the morning-after pill in Malta? Reach out to the Family Planning Advisory Service (FPAS) at https://www. fpas.mt/morning-after-pills or 27780037/20341686 for assis- tance. Availability of MAP in each area Number of Sundays/public holidays out of six, analysed on which MAP is available in each respective region Area 1: Valletta, Floriana 3 Area 2: Hamrun, Marsa 1 Area 3: Qormi, Santa Venera 0 Area 4: Birkirkara 4 Area 5: Gżira, Msida, Ta' Xbiex, Pietà 5 Area 6: San Ġwann, St Julian's, Swieqi, Pembroke 3 Area 7: Sliema 6 Area 8: Lija, Attard, Balzan 6 Area 9: Mosta, Naxxar, Għargħur, Mġarr 4 Area 10: Mellieha, St Paul's Bay 6 Area 11: Paola, Tarxien, Santa Luċija 4 Area 12: Isla, Birgu, Bormla, Kalkara, Fgura (PO) 5 Area 13: Żabbar, Marsaskala, Fgura (PO) 4 Area 14: Birżebbuġa, Għaxaq, Żejtun, M'xlokk, Gudja 5 Area 15: Luqa, Mqabba, Żurrieq, Qrendi, Kirkop, Safi 4 Area 16: Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Siġġiewi 2 Area 17: Rabat, Dingli, Mtarfa 4 Area 18: Victoria (Gozo) 3 Area 19: Other localities in Gozo 3 Area 20: Airport pharmacy 0 2020/2021 findings comparison 2020 Pharmacies % that sold MAP 8 November 13 65 15 November 13 65 22 November 15 75 29 November 12 60 6 December 14 70 8 December 13 65 Overall 80 63 2021 Pharmacies % that sold MAP 7 November 10 50 14 November 15 75 21 November 9 45 28 November* 13 65 5 December 14 75 8 December 11 55 Overall 72 61 *on 28 November 19 pharmacies were listed on the roster, instead of the usual 20