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| Friday, 10 May, 2002, 16:13 GMT 17:13 UK Row after sale of festival morning-after pill ![]() Critics say the move will encourage promiscuity An independent pharmaceutical company has said it will sell the morning-after pill at one of the UK's biggest rock festivals. Pro-life organisations have condemned the decision to put Levonelle on sale at V2002 in August. They said it would encourage promiscuous behaviour at the two day concert at Weston Park, near Stafford. Paul Danon, a spokesman for the Society for Protection of the Unborn Child said his organisation were not "killjoys" but strongly disapproved of the use of the drug in principle.
Selling the pill "In a situation of excitement or euphoria young women might do something they later regret and selling the morning-after pill will not prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, which may cause a lot of concern among parents. "We have nothing against the pharmaceutical company offering medical services to people at the festival but we have a general objection to the morning-after pill because of the dose of hormones 50 times over the normal level." The drug's manufacturers Schering and mobile pharmacy Medicine Man claim that offering the drug at the festival will protect young women. Medicine Man owner, pharmacist James Powell said the company would be adhering to the strict government guidelines and ensuring the pill is only sold to those over 16. "Young people in particular will go to events like this ill-prepared and we will be there to help them with any prescriptions they may have forgotten or other medical matters." He said he was aware that festival goers could be drinking and taking drugs and said they would not be selling anything that could react adversely with them. A spokesman for the festival said: "Over and above making sure that V2002 is the most entertaining festival of the year, we take our responsibility to ensure a safe and secure environment for festival-goers very seriously. "As organisers, V2002 provides a fully equipped medical centre, an on-site chemist, fire service presence and police services to cope with all eventualities that may occur." | See also: Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Health stories now: Links to more Health stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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