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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To feel so angry with Boots re: the MAP

90 replies

BunnyCupBows · 22/07/2017 11:04

I can't believe that in 2017 we are still having to fight to rid the world of sexist and outdated attitudes to women and sex.... Honestly it makes my blood boil when they refused to reduce the price because they believe it would be used 'inappropriately'. Is anyone else boycotting Boots?

OP posts:

Pixiedust2017 · 22/07/2017 12:03

I believe the MAP is not free everywhere so that it is not relied upon as a regular method of contraception as there are more effective alternatives available.
A consultation is required as it is not suitable in all situations or for all people.
If the issue is purely with Boots pricing of the MAP I suggest you also consider how they have altered the high street pharmacy across the country and how they treat their staff. Boots is purely there to make a profit just like all corporately owned businesses.
It would in my opinion be better in this case for the price to be set nationally or be funded by the nhs if appropriate for the user. Having a price difference is fine IF you can shop around. A lot of the customers requiring MAP are not in a situation in which they have that opportunity.

Branleuse · 22/07/2017 12:04

I think boots are shit for several reasons, but I don't have a problem with this. The MAP is free from doctors or family planning clinics/ GUM clinics. If you want to buy it over the counter, you pay for it. It's also cheaper in other pharmacies than boots. The MAP isn't even particularly effective anyway, and its a horrible giant dose of hormones. I think The current system is fine

Branleuse · 22/07/2017 12:05

I'm pretty sure it's actually free at chemists if you're under a certain age too

Branleuse · 22/07/2017 12:05

I'm pretty sure it's actually free at chemists if you're under a certain age too

GavelRavel · 22/07/2017 12:12

not sure I get the issue. they're massively overcharging and ripping people off, but they do that with everything, just get it from a different chemist. Vote with your feet. I have to buy the thrush tablet quite a lot and the cheapest you can get it in boots in over £10. I can get it in my local pharmacy for a couple of quid. same with painkillers and calpol. don't but branded medications and don't buy them in boots. vote with your feet.

not sure I'm seeing the feminist angle, they overcharge on condoms and shaving foam too. get it elsewhere.

dontpokethebear · 22/07/2017 12:16

I live in a commuter town, about 30 minutes from London. Condoms are not freely available here. You have to travel to the fpc in the next town (when it is open!).

Until dc 3 I was a practice nurse. Long ago we used to give out condoms, but the uptake was very low so ended up having to throw away hundreds of out of date ones.
It wasn't lack of info either. There was an A4 poster on reception and a notice on the screen in the waiting room.

I agree that MAP should be cheaper, but also that women/girls need to take more responsibility for themselves too.

slightlyglittermaned · 22/07/2017 12:18

If they were just overcharging that'd be one thing. It's the underlying "we choose to charge women who've had sex more because we find their behaviour immoral" message that people are finding repellent.

Dawndonnaagain · 22/07/2017 12:18

We can make excuses for everything but if you are taking the MAP on a regular basis I think you need to make some changes around your contraception choices.
Well good for you. There are quite a few women in Refuges and quite a few women who haven't managed to get there yet who may find your comments rude and patronising. There are women who would like to be responsible for their contraception but have no choices. And their are contraception failures.

Dawndonnaagain · 22/07/2017 12:19

there.

GirlOnATrainToShite · 22/07/2017 12:21

Women in refuges get access to free contraception and are unlikely to be having sex anyway.

GirlOnATrainToShite · 22/07/2017 12:22

I am not denying that people have accidents - I am talking about people who use the MAP regularly.

Hadjab · 22/07/2017 12:23

It's available cheaply elsewhere and online - sorry but this isn't a big deal.

AssassinatedBeauty · 22/07/2017 12:24

"also that women/girls need to take more responsibility for themselves too" this infuriates me. How about the men they're having sex with also take responsibility and use condoms? Never mind the number of women/girls who are living chaotic lives for a whole host of reasons where "taking more responsibility" is a very difficult task. Or women who've just made a one off mistake - big deal. It's not a moral judgement on them.

Why is it always the attitude that these stupid women and girls are just so silly and irresponsible, they must be punished financially (or otherwise) for being so. They're not to be trusted or treated as adults. It's just basic nasty misogyny.

GirlOnATrainToShite · 22/07/2017 12:27

Yes ideally men take responsibility too - but we get pregnant they do not - they can walk away and ultimately the responsibility is ours whether we like it per not.

RandomDent · 22/07/2017 12:30

Girlonatrain did you ever wonder why the regular users might be using the MAP?

Dawndonnaagain · 22/07/2017 12:30

Women in refuges get access to free contraception and are unlikely to be having sex anyway.
Are you being deliberately obtuse?
Why are they in the Refuge? Could it be no access to contraception after rape? Have they had children without choice? FFS!
Stop judging women for their choices or lack of choices.

AssassinatedBeauty · 22/07/2017 12:34

So why the judgement and moralising about women needing the MAP? If women have issues in their lives that is resulting in frequent of the MAP then that needs addressing. Judging the shit out of them for not being responsible and keeping the MAP expensive as punishment is just misogyny.

Batteriesallgone · 22/07/2017 12:40

So, hypothetically speaking, if I accept that all women getting the MAP from Boots are either
A) totally irresponsible, or
B) victims of abuse
What is the argument for keeping prices high? That being irresponsible or in an abusive situation makes you an ideal candidate for parenthood?

The alternative to reducing the price of the MAP is not less demand for the MAP amongst groups like that is it? Takes only a moment of thought to see that the alternative to cheap MAP is increased abortions or pregnancy. I'm not getting the logic as to why that is a good thing?

Personally I think in an ideal world every child would be planned and wanted. Any situation which suggests otherwise is one in which all forms of contraception and ending pregnancy should be freely available.

DrDreReturns · 22/07/2017 12:42

What is the argument for keeping prices high? - because it increases their profits! I hate Boots, like a pp said they overcharge for everything. Go elsewhere.

Batteriesallgone · 22/07/2017 12:47

Oh yes Dr I understand capitalism. I mean the people on this thread (who I am assuming aren't Boots shareholders, perhaps I am wrong) who are arguing that it doesn't matter, or prices should be high, etc.

GirlOnATrainToShite · 22/07/2017 12:48

No not being obtuse and if you read my posts properly I am saying that if women are accessing it as a regular form of contraception we as a society need to address those issues.

Moaning about the cost is closing the stable door after the horse has bolted.

If you are in a hostel/refuge as a result of being raped you will be given access to sexual health devices so think it's you being obtuse.

Dawndonnaagain · 22/07/2017 12:59

If you are in a hostel/refuge as a result of being raped you will be given access to sexual health devices so think it's you being obtuse.
No, I'm pointing out that lack of access to contraception may be one of the reasons they ended up in a refuge. In other words, at some point in their lives they may well have been one of the women you are judging. They may have been a woman who wanted the MAP but couldn't get to a doctor due to controlling behaviours and couldn't afford to buy it due to financial abuse. Stop judging.

Kursk · 22/07/2017 13:02

Today 12:23 Hadjab

It's available cheaply elsewhere and online - sorry but this isn't a big deal.

Agree it's a competitive market, if you don't like the price you are free to shop around

GirlOnATrainToShite · 22/07/2017 13:02

I am not judging!

Women in a relationship with coercive control are unlikely to be buying the MAP at Boots ?

I am talking about people who are using it as a regular form of contraception because they cannot organise themselves.

Dawndonnaagain · 22/07/2017 13:04

I am talking about people who are using it as a regular form of contraception because they cannot organise themselves.
Why? Who are you to judge? Do you know why they cannot organise themselves? Do you know if they have ADD or other difficulties. Just make it available to those who need it, when they need it without judgement from you or anybody else.

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