Spain declares condoms a ‘right’ with free pharmacy roll-out for young people

Following a ten-year high in STI diagnoses in the country, Spain’s Ministry of Health has announced the launch of a programme through which young people between the ages of 16 and 22 will be offered free condoms in local pharmacies. The initiative, which was announced on Monday by the Director General of Public Health of the Ministry of Health, Pedro Gullón, defines condoms as “a right” for young people.

A new announcement that aims to make condoms a ‘right’ to which young people are ‘entitled’

The initiative was announced in Madrid on Monday, June 8, as part of the Awareness and Update Day on Sexually Transmitted Infections, organised by the Ministry of Health. The plan not only aims to turn condoms into a basic right for young people, but plans to integrate them into daily life and normalise their use among teenagers and young adults, giving residents the assurance that they are available.

To be specific, Gullón highlighted that young people will be “entitled” to a box of condoms every set amount of time, using a monthly basis as an example.

3 million people to be reached with new initiative

This is not the first time Spain has launched an initiative that offers free condoms to young people, but according to Gullón, this edition of the launch is expected to reach some “three million people throughout Spain” and will make free condoms accessible in more pharmacies in the country. In order to carry out the initiative, the country will make a “purchase of condoms for all of Spain,” according to Gullón.

A bold move as condom price tags soar and STIs run rampant

The move is especially significant in today’s context, as condom prices have been surging across Europe, and gonorrhoea and syphilis are at an all-time high in Spain. As it stands, condoms are the only effective form of birth control that also protects against STIs and STDs.

This means that the usage of condoms by young and impressionable teens and young adults is not only a concern for teenage pregnancy and other health risks, but it is also a public health concern, especially ahead of peak season and the holiday partying culture in Spain.

This initiative also makes condoms more accessible for those who have limited resources, adding a safety net and peace of mind for those who want to avoid pregnancy and other health concerns that may arise from having unprotected sex.