Morning-after pill rule sparks privacy fears
By Xu Chi |
December 29, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
BUYERS of the morning-after pill in two cities in southeastern Fujian Province have been told they have to give their real names when purchasing the drug that can prevent pregnancy after sex.
The move has sparked fears that people's privacy may be put at risk.
From this week, buyers of the emergency contraceptive will have to show their ID cards to pharmacy staff in Fuzhou and Sanming, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.
According to a new rule issued by the cities' food and drug administration, pharmacies are required to record names and ID card numbers, and have to keep a record of quantities sold to each customer.
The regulation was issued to prevent the over-the-counter medicine from being used in unsafe and illegal abortions, officials told the newspaper.
But the move hasn't been well received by the public with some pharmacies complaining to Xiamen Daily that many residents were reluctant to show their ID cards.
"Some consumers gave up the purchasing after they are required to tell their names because it is not an 'honorable' thing to purchase morning-after pills in traditional Chinese thinking," a staff member at a Xiamen pharmacy told the newspaper.
"Under the regulation, we can't sell them the medicine if they don't provide their ID information," the assistant said.
The new rule sparked heated discussion on many online forums.
One concern repeatedly expressed was whether people's private information would be safeguarded or leaked by pharmacy staff to make money.
"Who wants others to know her name and ID number when she purchases morning-after pills?" Yueye asked on Weibo.com. "The regulation is issued without considering the feelings of normal Chinese people."
Another microblogger wrote: "I hope my name and ID number will not be sold to cold callers so they can disturb me all the time, but who can make sure that won't happen?"
Meanwhile, some online commentators are debating whether the new move will benefit or harm teenagers who don't have ID cards but may engage in sexual activities.
"Teenagers are put at more risk of getting pregnant if they don't use protection and are banned from purchasing the pills without ID cards," Xiamen Daily quoted a resident surnamed Huang as saying.
However, another was quoted as saying: "The new regulation may prevent the drugs being sold in illegal pharmacies, thus cutting the risk of drug abusing for the teenagers."
In Shanghai, FDA officials said that there were no plans for a similar scheme.
The move has sparked fears that people's privacy may be put at risk.
From this week, buyers of the emergency contraceptive will have to show their ID cards to pharmacy staff in Fuzhou and Sanming, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported yesterday.
According to a new rule issued by the cities' food and drug administration, pharmacies are required to record names and ID card numbers, and have to keep a record of quantities sold to each customer.
The regulation was issued to prevent the over-the-counter medicine from being used in unsafe and illegal abortions, officials told the newspaper.
But the move hasn't been well received by the public with some pharmacies complaining to Xiamen Daily that many residents were reluctant to show their ID cards.
"Some consumers gave up the purchasing after they are required to tell their names because it is not an 'honorable' thing to purchase morning-after pills in traditional Chinese thinking," a staff member at a Xiamen pharmacy told the newspaper.
"Under the regulation, we can't sell them the medicine if they don't provide their ID information," the assistant said.
The new rule sparked heated discussion on many online forums.
One concern repeatedly expressed was whether people's private information would be safeguarded or leaked by pharmacy staff to make money.
"Who wants others to know her name and ID number when she purchases morning-after pills?" Yueye asked on Weibo.com. "The regulation is issued without considering the feelings of normal Chinese people."
Another microblogger wrote: "I hope my name and ID number will not be sold to cold callers so they can disturb me all the time, but who can make sure that won't happen?"
Meanwhile, some online commentators are debating whether the new move will benefit or harm teenagers who don't have ID cards but may engage in sexual activities.
"Teenagers are put at more risk of getting pregnant if they don't use protection and are banned from purchasing the pills without ID cards," Xiamen Daily quoted a resident surnamed Huang as saying.
However, another was quoted as saying: "The new regulation may prevent the drugs being sold in illegal pharmacies, thus cutting the risk of drug abusing for the teenagers."
In Shanghai, FDA officials said that there were no plans for a similar scheme.
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