Age Restriction Should be Imposed on Buying Morning After Pills: Survey

A latest poll suggests that many Americans agree on imposition of age restriction to buy morning after-pills.

"I think one of the things that's necessary is an education effort," said Dr. Michael Taylor, chief medical officer at Truven Health Analytics, according to NPR. "There's probably some misconception in this country about how the morning-after pill works. It's not an abortion; it's a type of contraception. It really serves the same role as a birth-control pill."

The researchers examined the NPR-Truven Health Analytics Health Poll. Around 3,008 particpants were surveyed in this poll and the data was collected during the first half of June.

The poll results showed that nearly 82 percent of the participants were aware of the morning after pill. Around 85 percent females and 78 percent of men knew about the pill. This difference could be statistically significant, according to the researchers.

Nearly 18 percent of the people said no age bar should be imposed in buying the pill and 17 percent  stated that no matter what age, the pills should always be purchased with a prescription. Around 35 percent of the people said that a girl should only be able to purchase the morning after pill if she is at least 18-years-old.

Surprisingly, around two-thirds of the respondents said it was necessary for youngsters below the age of 18 to be accompanied by parents to buy the pills.

The survey also found that the most Americans,  61 percent, believed that insurance companies should pay for the emergency contraceptive pill.