University student group launches morning-after pill consultation

University Christian-democrat group SDM will launch an open consultation with the Maltese student body on the morning-after pill, on the heels of a judicial protest filed against the Maltese State demanding ‘licensing, importation and distribution of emergency contraception to be made legal’.

SMD said it has kick-started a period of consultation to listen to what students have to say on the issue.

“We’re encouraging students to seek information from reputable sources, whilst adhering to our basic principles of democracy, freedom of expression, and respect towards every individual student,” SDM president Ian Zahra said.

Emergency contraception is available in every European Union state except Malta. While not outright illegal, the Medicines Authority does not give required authorisation for importation of this contraceptive pill.

The most common type of emergency contraception is hormonal contraception, commonly referred to as the ‘Morning-After’ pill, which contains a high dose of hormones, often levonorgestrel, that works by temporarily stopping the ovary from releasing an egg.

Maltese legislation views emergency contraception as being a potential abortifacient. Abortion is a criminal offence, which is why the morning-after pill remains unlicensed and illegal.

Students wishing to take part in the SDM consultation are invited to send an email on [email protected].