She was received as a discoveryamong other things in conjunction with National Women’s Health Day (April 22), the announcement of theaifa for free morning after pill for all women Just over a month after the turn around, or rather a postponement in view of a real study, which generates controversy and outrage. The board of directors ofitalian drug agency in fact, it decided not to pronounce itself on the subject of the free use of the contraceptive pill for all women, requesting more information.
There black smoke made official on May 24, at the end of the meeting of the Board of Directors, that, “having taken note that the Agency’s advisory commissions have not yet elaborated precise indications on the age groups to which the pill can be granted contraceptive free of charge, on the modalities of distribution and on the costs for the National Health System in the different scenarios of adoption of reimbursement -explains the Agency- it has verified that the essential elements for deliberation do not exist”. The estimated costs of the free pill is approx. 140 million euros per year.
It is still to be determined whether to provide free pills for all women of childbearing age, or for women in economically disadvantaged conditions or for young women up to 19/26 years old, as is the case in some European countries and in the six Italian regions. (Puglia, Emilia Romagna, Piedmont, Tuscany, Autonomous Province of Trento and Lazio) that offer free birth control pills.
The free use of the contraceptive pill has long been at the center of political and social debate with often opposing positions. In fact, opponents judge that this project goes against the trend of the government’s intentions to use the few funds available to increase the birth rate.
There are those, like the former parliamentarian Lisa Noiaquestions the Minister of Family, Birth and Equal Opportunities, Eugenia Rockella. “I would like to know the opinion on the decision of the Board of Directors of AIFA not to follow the indications of the technical committees of the institution to make the contraceptive pill free for women of all ages. The best way – Noja stresses – to avoid resorting to abortion is to avoid unwanted pregnancies through the dissemination of sexual information and the conscious and accessible use of contraceptives. So, if as Eugenia Roccella preaches every two days, we want to implement Law 194 in its entirety, today’s decision must be strongly criticized by the Minister herself. Or not? We look forward to hearing from you.”
between opposites professional life and family which speaks of a “serious and dangerous” eventuality. Also for Moige-Movimento Italiano Genitori it is a project to reject when affirming that Aifa “discriminates against those who have children”.
The position of president of the National Federation of Orders of Surgeons and Dentists Filippo Anelli who, after the approval of the Price and Reimbursement Committees, had spoken of “a shareable measure, which reduces inequalities and makes women equal in terms of health”. The free contraceptive pill, according to the Italian Association for Demographic Education, would instead represent “a return to the future. In the sense that until 1993, or until thirty years ago, contraception was already free, and this has also contributed to its awareness and dissemination among Italian women”.
interviewed byGreetings Adnkronosthe gynecologist Daniela Fantini, The contact person in Lombardy for Agite, the association of local gynecologists, comments on ‘black smoke’ as follows: “Women keep telling me: I have read that the pill is free. And I will have to keep answering them: yes, you read it because it was written. But it’s not over yet.”
“Free contraception, at least for girls, should be included in the ‘Lea’ (essential levels of assistance, ed.) -he observes- If one has to study, then one cannot find a job or a house at acceptable prices, as It is shown by the student protests these days, how are you doing? It is clear that it is not good to look for a child at 40, but today life has really changed. The hope is therefore that the pill is guaranteed to all girls of childbearing age precisely because of the characteristics of current life. Why, if a girl accidentally becomes pregnant when she is 20 years old, what does she do today?”, asks the gynecologist.
