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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

Boots policy on the Emergency Pill

45 replies

AssassinatedBeauty · 21/07/2017 16:34

I've just read this article in the Independent and I'm astonished with what Boots have written as the reasons why they won't reduce the price of the emergency contraceptive pill. Has anyone else seen this? Apparently Superdrug and other shops have agreed to lower the price which is much more expensive than in Europe. But Boots won't, because pro-lifers wouldn't like it and women will use it inappropriately!

www.independent.co.uk/voices/boots-emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill-feminism-women-inequality-inappropriate-a7849521.html

OP posts:
VestalVirgin · 21/07/2017 17:02

Ugh, how disgusting. But also stupid. As it says at the end of the article, female customers can go elsewhere. And I hope they will. Perhaps buy it in advance to not get into a situation where they have to buy it at Boots.

It is clearly and obviously sexist nonsense - how the fuck would one use a pill that has only one purpose "inappropriately"? They admit they find the intended use inappropriate, don't they?

I mean, what else could one do with it? Is it a good fertilizer for geraniums? Can it be used to remove red wine stains?

... someone should make a video of all possible inappropriate uses. Wink

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 21/07/2017 17:06

There is a Superdrug very close the Boots I usually go to. I've never been in it but according to my husband it is cheaper for loads of stuff than Boots so I'll give it a go.

M0stlyBowlingHedgehog · 21/07/2017 17:54

That's me shopping in Superdrug tomorrow too.

BigDeskBob · 21/07/2017 18:39

I'm shocked that its under £6 in France and over £30 here. I knew bpas have been saying its over priced for some time but I didn't realise the amount mark up.

What does price have to do with inappropriate use? If they don't trust women to use it appropriately, don't sell it. Or do boots morals go out of the window when a good profit is to be made?

Monkeyinshoes · 21/07/2017 19:24

This is a brilliant response [http://www.newstatesman.com/politics/feminism/2017/07/boots-sells-lots-products-used-inappropriately-morning-after-pill-isnt-one Boots sells lots of products used inappropriately – the morning after pill isn't one of them]

ThymeLord · 21/07/2017 19:26

Boots sell condoms don't they. I wonder if they are priced higher than other stores to prevent 'inappropriate use' Hmm I very much doubt it.

Monkeyinshoes · 21/07/2017 19:27

Let's try that link again

Boots sells lots of products used inappropriately - the morning after pill isn't one of them

VestalVirgin · 21/07/2017 19:29

Boots sell condoms don't they. I wonder if they are priced higher than other stores to prevent 'inappropriate use'

And that despite lots of people using condoms inappropriately - using them as balloons or rolling them over bananas for a laugh. It is really ridiculous.

FunctionalAnatomy · 21/07/2017 22:06

Vestal I mean, what else could one do with it? Is it a good fertilizer for geraniums?

I once heard something about contraceptive pills being good for tomato plants or something... Grin

I initially thought they might mean inappropriate use in terms of using it rather than more effective contraception, but nope it's quite clear from the context Hmm Angry what they mean.

All the pharmacies in my area are Boots so taking custom elsewhere is not always an option.

M0stlyBowlingHedgehog · 21/07/2017 22:37

Thanks for that link, Monkey. I love Glosswitch! I love her so much I'm going to quote the last few paras.

" Commenting on what another woman does with her body should not be off-limits (if it was, no one would have ever identified and treated the eating disorder that was killing me.) Even so, it’s instructive to look at the things we see fit to comment on and those we don’t.

Want to inject your face with poison? Augment your breasts with silicone? Have your vagina remodelled to please your husband? Go ahead. Your body, your choice.

Want to control your reproductive life? Avoid the risks and permanent aftermath of childbirth? Prevent the need for an abortion down the line?

Well, that’s another matter. We’re just not sure we can trust you. Forget about those pills. Why not have some folic acid and stretch mark cream instead?"

Childrenofthestones · 22/07/2017 00:20

Don't understand this. It's not as though the prolife lobby hold massive sway here like in America.
Could it be somebody of power high up in Boots is PL and used their influence to this end?

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 22/07/2017 00:34

Don't understand this. It's not as though the prolife lobby hold massive sway here like in America

That puzzled me too. If anything I would have thought the vast majority of the UK population are ok with the morning after pill. The problematic issue in mainland UK is the cut off point for abortion and even then the upper limit in the UK is higher by a considerable margin than most of Europe- so why is Boots kowtowing into a small and out of step minority?

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 22/07/2017 00:49

I've just e-mailed them to say we will be boycotting Boots because of this.

AfunaMbatata · 22/07/2017 00:55

Disgusting. I shall no longer shop their.

DancingLedge · 22/07/2017 01:00

You can email them via their website.

AfunaMbatata · 22/07/2017 01:01

Ffs there*

(It appears my iPhone has been drinking again)

AdoraBell · 22/07/2017 01:05

There is a petition, linked to the one related to period poverty. Can't link on my phone, sorry, but I've signed it.

UneMoonit · 22/07/2017 01:11

Price should be quadrupled.

One of an ever-growing list of issues on which having your own mind and a free conscience makes you "not a feminist" I know, but there it is.

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 22/07/2017 01:13

Boots apologises over morning-after pill pricing row

www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jul/21/labour-mps-tell-boots-of-concern-over-emergency-contraception-cost?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Copy_to_clipboard

I don't think Boots thought this through.

AfunaMbatata · 22/07/2017 01:27

Wtf does that. Reran unromantic?

LassWiTheDelicateAir · 22/07/2017 04:08

Price should be quadrupled

One of an ever-growing list of issues on which having your own mind and a free conscience makes you "not a feminist" I know, but there it is

Why are you so opposed to MAP? I can understand why people are opposed to abortion but unless you actually oppose all forms of contraception I don't understand the opposition to MAP.

The coil and the normal pill both have effects which prevent or make implantation of an embryo less likely; condoms are stopping millions of spermatazoa before they have any chance at all. There is no guarantee that when MAP is taken that an egg has been fertilised so unless you oppose all contraception I'm struggling to see why MAP is any different from other methods.

I don't believe there are hordes of women using MAP as their only or main form of contraception - but even if there were my objection to that would be it is a stupid method from the point of their own well-being and expensive , if being given out free, but otherwise is not ethically different from all the other methods.

morningrunner · 22/07/2017 08:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnyFucker · 22/07/2017 08:58

Boots are going down the pan anyway

This will be their Ratner's moment. Hopefully.

AdoraBell · 22/07/2017 09:16

Price should be quadrupled

Is that you FIL?

LittleWitch · 22/07/2017 09:21

Hearing this on the radio was one of those moments when I just froze with shock. I would describe my feelings as confusion, shock and slight anxiety. I'm surprised at how this has made me feel tbh. I feel somehow conned and horrified. I will never shop at Boots again. I'm post-menopause so don't have a dog in this particular fight, but this is too much. I don't care if that seems like an over-reaction.

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