Morning after pill compromise will restrict the drug say experts in the USA

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 08 Apr 2004 - 0:00 PDT

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The US government and distributors of the emergency contraceptive morning after pill (Plan B) are in discussions regarding a compromise on how it will be sold. The FDA recommended that it should be an over-the-counter (OTC) drug - they voted last December by a majority of 23 to 4 that this should be so.

Many experts are saying that the motives for this 'compromise' are more to do with electioneering than hard science. Many conservatives believe that making this pill easily available will lead to teenage promiscuity.

Discussions are looking at minimum age limits for the purchase of the OTC drug and keeping it behind the pharmacist's counter - this would then control sales more.

As rumours of further restrictions start to gain pace, experts are urging the FDA to go for a full approval with no restrictions whatsoever.

Two members of the FDA advisory panel said that the FDAs "decision-making process is being influenced by political considerations." You can read about this in the New England Journal of Medicine. The article states "Although the FDA is frequently criticized by politicians and others for being either too lenient or too tough . . . the integrity of the process has seldom been questioned….To squander that trust by allowing political pressure to delay a decision to make safe and effective emergency contraception available over the counter seems to us a serious error."

The FDA says it cannot comment because it is still reviewing the application of this drug.

The difference between Plan B (the name of the new drug) and other drugs like Mifeprex is that Plan B is not an 'abortion pill'. Plan B prevents conception from happening in the first place, if the woman takes two doses within 72 hours of having sex.

Plan B has two high doses of levonorgestrel. Levonorgestrel is a hormone used for birth control.

Experts are sure this drug would bring down the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions in the USA.

Many people worry that this drug could make teenagers more sexually active. They wonder whether this would lead to more unprotected sex and STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). Many are also asking for more studies regarding this concern.

Wendy Wright, policy director for Concerned Women for America, said "A young teenage girl needs to talk with a doctor about taking this pill, and a doctor needs the opportunity to examine her for STDs and to see if there might be counterindications with other drugs she's taking."

The FDA advisory panel decided last December that there is no scientific reason to limit the availability of Plan B.

Many experts say that placing age restrictions and having the drug behind the pharmacist's counter would put off many girls, they would feel intimidated and some will not buy it. In other words, it would lead to more unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

Around the world drugs similar to Plan B have been sold for many years. In fact, in 33 countries they are sold without a prescription.

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