US Edition The Spanish government provoked the ire of the Roman Catholic Church and other conservative groups when they introduced the measure, which will be in place from Monday.
Until now the emergency contraceptive pill has only been available in some of Spain’s autonomous regions after a visit to a family planning clinic. Some doctors have refused to dispense it on moral grounds.
Spain’s Health Minister Trinidad Jiminez announced the plans under a joint strategy with the Equality Ministry to prevent unwanted pregnancies and abortions, particularly in teenage girls, and stressed that it should not replace normal methods of contraception.
“It is an emergency method of contraception, not to be used except in emergencies,” said Ms Jimenez, when she announced the measure earlier this year. “We don’t want it to become another means of contraception.”
The pills will be available over the counter, for under 20 euros, (£18) to women of any age. Those seeking the pill, which must be taken within 72 hours of intercourse, will be given three seoparate leaflets aimed at raising awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and contraception methods.
But the widespread dispensing of the pill has sparked controversy across Spain including from some medical practitioners who believe greater access to the pill will lead to more surgical abortions and more risks for the health of women.
The measure comes as Spain prepares to reform its abortion legislation and bring it in line with other European countries.
Last Friday the Cabinet approved a draft bill that will allow abortions on demand up to the fourteenth week of pregnancy.
The ministers of Jose Luis Rodriquez’s socialist government decided that no parental consent will be required for girls aged between 16 and 18 seeking a termination, a measure that has provoked the most outrage from conservative circles.