Birth control pills may soon be available in England without a prescription:

Lord Darzi, a leading surgeon brought into Prime Minister Gordon Brown's government, said the programme could be piloted among pharmacists or nurses. The pill is currently available only with a prescription from a doctor, although most pharmacies are able to provide the "morning-after pill" without a doctor's authorisation.

Nurses and pharmacists would provide a brief health assessment at pharmacies, eliminating the need for a separate doctor’s appointment. How great would that be? I know lots of young women who would be much more likely to get on and stay on the Pill if it didn’t require doctors and multiple errands. And while hormonal birth control bears some risks, a qualified nurse or pharmacist should be able to determine a woman’s eligibility for it. 

Given the ongoing struggle to make Plan B available over-the-counter and so-called conscience clauses, it seems unlikely that such a program will debut in American any time soon.

Via Feministing, naturally.