WASHINGTON, May 7, 2004 (LifeSiteNews.com) – Citing a concern that young teenagers may not safely use the morning after pill without a doctor’s guidance, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) late yesterday officially rejected a plan to make the pill available over-the-counter in America’s pharmacies.
In December an F.D.A. panel voted 23-4 in favour of allowing levonorgestrel, marketed under the name “Plan B,” to be sold over-the-counter (OTC). However, in January a group of 49 House Republicans urged President Bush to order the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to overturn a recommendation that a new abortifacient morning after pill (MAP) become available without a doctor’s prescription. The Republican House members said that making the pills more accessible could lead to teens engaging in activities they might otherwise not do, based on the false sense of security inherent with availability of the pill. The Family Research Council (FRC) applauded the FDA “for putting the safety of American women and girls above the wishes of the pro-abortion lobby.” FRC President Tony Perkins commented saying, “Women taking the birth control pill consult with their doctors once a year for medical check-ups. The morning-after pill is 50 times stronger, and yet over-the-counter access would have allowed women and girls to take this dangerous drug without any medical oversight. ” Concerned Women for America (CWA) also praised the FDA decision. “The FDA is right to be cautious about making a potent drug that can harm women available next to candy bars and toothpaste,” said Wendy Wright, CWA’s Senior Policy Director. “We are very grateful that the FDA put concern for women’s health over political pressure.”