to think that the TV adverts for the morning-after pill are a bit inappropriate/misleading?

[InMyLittleHead]

Don't get me wrong, I support any woman's right to take the morning-after pill, and think that all women should be aware that it's an option for them.

But these adverts (apart from being pink and patronising) make no mention of the fact that the MA pill is actually a hefty dose of hormones and it isn't good for you to take it too frequently. The only warning (in small print at the bottom of the screen) is 'may not be 100% effective'. It just seems to market it as something you can take lightly and whenever you feel the need, like a paracetamol or something.

Surely a more appropriate way to inform young women about the MA pill is to hand out leaflets at school/university. At least then they could get proper information about what the MA pill actually is/is not. I find it a bit worrying that a girl could watch that advert and think that the MA pill is a replacement for using contraception at the time... AIBU?

CMO - not arguing about its availability. Obviously if you need it, you need it asap.

Erika, I am not.

Kat, IMO it does not go anywhere near far enough to make the reality of taking MAP known - especially as it is not balanced out by other adverts for contraceptive choices.

TBH I jsut do not understand why this needs to be advertised in this way, I do see the point that some girls may take it and so not continue a pg in the first place (assuming mostly young grils as older ladies are more likely to have come across the pill and know it can be used without the ad) however surely the same could be said of advertising the pill, contraceptive injections and so on.

If we are talking about stopping teen pg (for example) then I would rather they advertised the contraceptive injection which lasts a fair time, has lower risks associated, is more effective....and is a more responsible choice of contraception.

It seems, to me, to be another attempt at tackling the symptom rather than the cause of teen pg.

ANd the pink and fluffy leaves me cold and clammy, just like those awful sani ads we are subjected to as if having a period or making contraceptive choices suddenly turns into 5 year old princesses who need everything in code [grr]

Well I've said what I think the point of the ad is.

Kat, that was in response to Erika who said that the problems with MAP are covered in sex ed, my point was that, if that is enough for everyone to be aware of the risks then it should also be enough for everyone to be aware of the MAP in the first place, clearly neither are true and so the ad needs to hve all the information in it.

Erika
We are not assuming that only teenagers are at risk of an unwanted pregnancy, I took the MAP myself last year as a result of contraceptive failure, but the ad is obviously aimed at young women.

I don't like the ad, but it does point out that in the scenario shown, 'the condom broke'. So they have at least implied that the MAP is a kind of 'back-up' for when other contraception has failed.

I agree that the ad is too pink and fluffy though.

Surely the more information about ways to prevent unwanted pregnany the better?

Stayfrosty, that was in response to Erika who said that the problems with MAP are covered in sex ed, my point was that, if that is enough for everyone to be aware of the risks then it should also be enough for everyone to be aware of the MAP in the first place, clearly neither are true and so the ad needs to hve all the information in it.

(sorry, I copied that from further up the thread, clearly I did not make my meaning clear enough, I was trying to keep up with the thread!)

I do stand that it could cause people to make choices based on misleading information that turn out to be irresponsible though (which is different to causing irresponsible behaviour).

OK - it's an ad

It is not a public information film

The drug company have worked out that more women will be aware of their particular brand if it is advertised (levonelle IIRC?)

They are selling a product

Hence there isn't a huge amount of education going on

These posts that say "why is there a need for an ad too?"

There isn't a need. There is a product to be sold.

doggiesayswoof - You have hit the nail on the head. That's what winds me up. It's about profit rather than health, but dressed as a pink fluffy bunny.

And to remind people that you can get it direct from the pharmacy - it's not very long since you could do that, rather than getting a GP/FPC appointment.

But from the companys perspective, yes, it's to sell product - which they can only do in this country as it is not prescription only

I don't think it was around when I was at school - don't remember getting taught about it.

Anyone know when it was invented?

well although the MAP is not the best form of contraception it's better than not taking it.

i took the map a fair few times -slagging-- about whilst single - glad it is more easilyavailable now, and that people are made aware of this.

Yes inmylittlehead it really annoys me too.

best condom advert ever

I'm glad it's more readily available too. I have had to fall back on it a couple of times (and thankfully it worked).

The ad doesn't mention the price. I remember getting it over the counter about 10 years ago and it was pricey - about £25 I think?

I know you can go to a FPC, but it's misleading for the ad to suggest it's a breeze to get hold of when buying it over the counter is beyond the means of many women.

I was not taught about it and I am pretty young - although that may be because our sex ed was crap!

Sold?

I thought it was free to certain groups and that it was down to the chemist which they supplied? I didn't think there was a choice to be made as such(by the consumer)?

I also thought that it was prescription but that the chemist could prescribe it - otherwise you could buy it off the shelf.

So, even better, eclipsing other, better forms of contraception in the eyes of younger/more vunerable adults, not giving out enough information and all to make a profit. Yum, my fav kind of advertising.

In which case it should be banned, I do not want to see it full stop, it offends me on many levels and I do not have to be subjected to offensive advertising.

If it were to provide a real service of some sort then fair enough (although not in its current form) but to make a drug company money??? FFS!

The rules might have changed since I last took it - I could have got it free at a FPC but couldn't get to one in time. Chemist couldn't prescribe it to me.

Ummm, drug companies get paid money for all their drugs, they don't distribute them for free.

Our Govt happens to believe that some people/drugs should be free so they pay the drug company.

You didn't really think that because you don't have to pay that the drug company was donating it to you out of the kindness of their heart did you!?

I beleive that Schering are the only company in the UK to produce a MAP so they aren't "competing" against anyone else for you to use their particular brand over someone else's.

Ah, maybe I am getting confused, I thought it was a paid-for prescription where it had to be prescribed (hance the need for the conversation/health check first) and the cost for doing that in a chemist was £25. However in a clinc/gp it would be free...

Could be wrong - usually am

Kewcumber, no I didn't, but thanks for patronising me all the same

If they are the only company then it goes back to the same thing doesn't it? What is the point of the ad, if it is to raise awareness of emergency contraception then it should be done better and include information on side-effects etc and IMO should be done alongside raising awareness of other forms of contraception.

YABU

Why shouldn't it be advertised? If it's licensed and safe and available otc then it absolutely should be advertised imo.

So what if it's making drug companies money - so does nurofen and benylin, these are valid products that address specific needs, just as map does.

Map was a huge big deal when I was a teenager - you needed a doctors appt, and your parents permission if under 16. Also it made you sick as a dog. Modern map has virtually no side effects and is available in the shop.

I say it's really good that this is being advertised. Of course in an ideal world none of us would ever make a silly decision in the heat of the moment, or have a contracetive failure. But this is real life, and I'm in favour of anything that reduces the number uf unwanted pregnancies.

Kewcumber - no obviously I didn't think drug companies were altruistic. But that doesn't alter the fact that informing people about medication isn't best done through the medium of television... Drug companies are more interested in profit than health