Too Much Like The Handmaid’s Tale | An Open Letter To Boots

Dear Boots,

It’s me, your long time lover of your pink shower gel (please don’t ask me to name it!) and you constant 3 for 2 offers on Sanctuary – however this is where our relationship comes to an end; and you know that age old cliche of it’s not you it’s me, well that’s not the case… it’s most definitely you.

We should all know by now that the morning after pill (or Emergency Hormonal Contraception to give it its proper name) costs a ridiculous amount compared to our continental neighbours, so the British Pregnancy Advisory Service wrote to the main high street pharmacy retailers, including you, to ask them to consider reducing the cost. Some have responded to say they will, some haven’t but when it comes to Boots, you aren’t reducing the cost. Now there are lots of reasons (many commercial) why a retailer may choose not to reduce the cost but one I hadn’t bargained on hearing from you is because you somehow think we’re living in an era that resembles The Handmaid’s Tale.

Just in case you’ve forgotten how ridiculously archaic and misogynistic you sound, here’s a paragraph from your response letter to the BPAS:

“In our experience the subject of EHC [emergency hormonal contraception] polarises public opinion and we receive frequent contact from individuals who voice their disapproval of the fact that the company chooses to provide this service. We would not want to be accused of incentivising inappropriate use, and provoking complaints, by significantly reducing the price of this product.”

Incentivising? How can you been seen to be incentivising? Do you mean the responsible actions of women who want to be in charge of their bodies? Yeah definitely sounds like a bad thing to me. You really shouldn’t be encouraging that – what planet are you living on Boots?

Should I be grateful that if I find myself ever needing the morning after pill that you sell it, and how dare I expect to pay a fair price? Are you worried Boots that if you lower the price that I’m going to start popping morning after pills recklessly? Will it make me more promiscuous? Perhaps I should be thanking you for keeping an eye out on my moral compass.

Are you really worried about those idiots (yes I’m going there with that word) who complain about emergency contraception? Maybe I’m daring to step out of the sexist stereotype that should be seen and not heard especially when making decisions about MY body. I’ve taken the morning after pill on three occasions – does that make me irresponsible? I suppose I should count myself lucky that you’ve not had me banned from you stores so as not to provoke complaints.

Emergency contraception is one of the most responsible things a woman can do for numerous and varying reasons – it helps to empower women in being in charge of their own reproductive choices; anyone that can’t get on board with that – I’m looking at you Boots – is one step away from passing me a bonnet and locking me in the attic.

How about you stick to making lipsticks and leave the choices about my life and my body to me, judgement free.

Goodbye

Rosie