The morning after pill costs up to five times as much for women in the UK as it does for their counterparts in Europe, a study has found.

Research fromthe the British Pregnancy Advisory Service (BPAS) shows the pill can be bought for as little as £5.50 in France, while the drug can set you back £31.60 in Britain.

Additionally, women must also undergo a consultation with a pharmacists before they can buy the pill, according to experts speaking to The Times.

"Emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent an unplanned pregnancy but the current framework in Britain is insulting, expensive and does not meet women's needs", said Ann Furedi, of the British Pregnancy Advisory Service.

She added: "Condoms are on the shelf. Sex toys are on the shelf. All manner of medications are on the shelf. So why not emergency contraception?

"As a society we embrace sex for pleasure, but expect women to march a walk of shame, and pay through the nose ... when things go awry, as they occasionally do."

The UK is the country in the EU with the highest proportion of women who have used emergency contraception at 61%.

In most countries the figure is about 20% and in Germany, the country with the lowest figure, it is 13%.