Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

babylonsister

(170,963 posts)
Tue Apr 30, 2013, 06:01 PM Apr 2013

FDA Lowers Age Restriction On Plan B Morning-After Pill

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/30/fda-plan-b_n_3187902.html

FDA Lowers Age Restriction On Plan B Morning-After Pill

Posted: 04/30/2013 5:37 pm EDT | Updated: 04/30/2013 5:47 pm EDT


The Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday that it will make a brand of emergency contraception known as Plan B One-Step available over the counter for women ages 15 and older, and with a prescription for younger teens. The pill is currently available over the counter to women ages 17 and older.

"Research has shown that access to emergency contraceptive products has the potential to further decrease the rate of unintended pregnancies in the United States," said FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg in a statement. "The data reviewed by the agency demonstrated that women 15 years of age and older were able to understand how Plan B One-Step works, how to use it properly, and that it does not prevent the transmission of a sexually transmitted disease."

The decision by the FDA only partially complies with a ruling handed down by a federal judge in early April, which instructed the FDA to lift all age restrictions on Plan B and make it available to everyone on pharmacy shelves. A panel of scientists at the FDA had recommended in 2011 that age restrictions be lifted on the morning-after pill, but Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius overruled that recommendation, arguing that there was a lack of evidence showing that those under the age of 17 would use the pill appropriately.

snip//

Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) called the FDA's decision a "step in the right direction."

"This decision is a step in the right direction for increased access to a product that is a safe and effective method of preventing unintended pregnancies," Murray said in a statement. "It's also a decision that moves us closer to these critical availability decisions being based on science, not politics. Plan B is an essential part of a woman's basic health care and I will continue to push for more information from FDA and HHS on the practical application of this policy while also working to ensure that access is based on science, safety, and efficacy."

This story has been updated with comment from Sen. Patty Murray.
1 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
FDA Lowers Age Restriction On Plan B Morning-After Pill (Original Post) babylonsister Apr 2013 OP
Good. k&r uppityperson Apr 2013 #1
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»FDA Lowers Age Restrictio...