FDA Denies EC Over-the-Counter
Synopsis: Women's health sacrificed for political gain as the FDA rejects over-the-counter status for emergency contraception.
Women's Health Sacrificed for Political Gain
Boston, MA – In a move that puts political ideology ahead of women’s health, the FDA last night rejected over-the-counter status for the Plan B® emergency contraceptive (EC) despite the recommendation of an independent scientific advisory panel that found EC to be safe for women and effective at preventing unintended pregnancies.
Melissa Kogut, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts – the state’s leading advocate for a woman’s right to privacy and freedom of choice – said the following in a statement:
“The Bush administration has once again demonstrated its commitment to far-right ideologues while sacrificing women’s health and the opportunity to prevent thousands of unintended pregnancies.
By overruling a recommendation by an independent FDA review panel, the Bush administration’s FDA demonstrates that it is more interested in political gain than increasing women’s healthcare options and reducing unintended pregnancies. It is ironic – yet not surprising – that those who oppose a woman’s right to choose are also making it more difficult for women to prevent unintended pregnancy. Access to contraception is an essential part of comprehensive health care for women. Today, women have suffered yet another set-back at the hands of President Bush and his administration.”
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts is a co-founder of the Massachusetts Emergency Contraception Network, an alliance of community organizations, medical providers and government agencies united to improve access to emergency contraception. The EC Network is currently engaged in community based efforts to educate women about EC and make EC more readily accessible to women at hospitals and community healthcare centers.
NARAL Pro-Choice Massachusetts is also working on Beacon Hill to pass the EC Bill, legislation that would allow pharmacists to directly dispense EC through a collaborative agreement with a physician and require hospital emergency rooms to make EC available to rape survivors.
EC, commonly known as “the morning-after pill,” is a safe and effective contraceptive method for use after sexual intercourse, when contraceptives have failed, or when no contraceptives were used. The sooner EC is used the better, but it can be taken within five days after unprotected sex. Accessibility to EC is widely seen as the principal barrier to its use as EC is not available in Massachusetts without a doctor’s prescription.
# # #
| 
