WASHINGTON, December 15, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) The President’s spokesman refused to answer a question from a reporter Friday on the President’s stand on efforts to have the abortifacient morning after pill made available over the counter.
At the White House daily press briefing, White House spokesman Scot McClellan was asked: “The FDA is considering allowing the morning after pill to be sold over the counter without a prescription. Not only does this drug cause a pharmacological abortion, making it available over the counter, it also undermines parental authority and promotes irresponsible behavior. The President has previously spoken about developing a culture of life but this action is clearly a step in the opposite direction. Is he going to take a position on this FDA proposal?” McClellan evaded the question, but in doing so demonstrated an intimate knowledge of the proceedings. McClellan responded: “You did state the President’s view correctly about building a culture of life. What you’re referring to right now is a law that governs the status of medications and whether they are prescription or over the counter. And that law says that a company may apply to the FDA for a change in status at any time. In this case, there is a company that has applied to the FDA that is seeking a change in the status on its medicines. And when those applications are received, the FDA is required by law to have its advisory committees review the application and hold public hearings. And that is happening now. And so there is an FDA panel looking at that issue to make a determination. But there are some requirements under law that are being followed and that’s where it stands.” Two panels will render advisory decisions to the FDA this Tuesday, after which the FDA is to decide on the application to make the abortifacient drugs available over the counter. Of note, while most pro-life groups in the U.S. are vigorously fighting the measure and the abortifacients themselves, the National Right to Life Committee has remained disturbingly silent. See the White House press-briefing transcript: https://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/12/20031212.html