According to a report, pharmacies in the UK might soon be permitted to sell contraceptive pills to young teenage girls.

The indication comes after a trail project that showed that the number of women needing emergency contraception fell significantly in the year after the government allowed the sale of contraceptive pills over the counter without the need for prescription.

The report by NHS South East London said that the trial project succeeded in reaching its target group of black British, Caribbean and African women in the age group of 20 to 24 years and those who had not consumed contraceptive pills.

The study involved five pharmacies in the Southwark and Lambeth boroughs of south London. The area has the highest teenage pregnancy rates in Europe and the highest rate in the city. It was found that the women who used the pills said that they appreciate the convenience and anonymity in getting pills from pharmacies.

Reservhers are recommending extending it to other parts of the country and also allowing teenagers aged between 13 and 16 to buy the pills over the counter.