Teenagers have free access to buy abortion pills in pharmacy in Albania

Abortion pills can be easily purchased in pharmacies without prescription in Albania and no recommendation from the gynecologist is needed even if the buyers are underage, Albanian Daily Shqip reported on Tuesday.

Abortion rate among teenagers is increasing in Albania over the past years although they have all the information on methods of contraception for preventing unwanted pregnancies or getting a sexually transmitted infection.

An increased trend of abortions in Albania was noticed during the two recent years and especially in the capital.

The data provided by Albanian maternity hospitals confirm that there are at least three cases of abortions per week. Females aged 15-19 have the highest rate of abortion among teenagers.

Albanian gynecologist Arian Shtylla from 'Koco Gliozheni' maternity hospital said that teenagers prefer to abortion pills which are used within the first month of pregnancy.

Pills can be easily purchased in pharmacies and no recommendation from the gynecologist is needed although the woman can be under the age of 18.