Britain urging women to abandon the pill

LONDON, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- The British government is hoping to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies by urging physicians not to recommend birth control pills.

Instead of taking the pill, women will be advised that longer-term methods like injections and implants are better means of prevention, The Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday.

The change in focus will be backed up by a national campaign to make young women and teenagers aware of the full range of contraceptive methods available.

Currently, most general practitioners in Britain recommend birth control pills to their patients but data indicate forgetting to take the pill is the most common reason cited for an unwanted pregnancy.

The Department of Health estimates that if more women opted for longer-acting contraceptives, the number of unintended pregnancies would fall by some 73,000.

Current estimates are that 400,000 pregnancies a year in Britain are unplanned.

Critics charge the new policy is an admission the Labor government has failed to meet its goal of reducing teen pregnancies.