George Bush said he supports the idea that Plan B, otherwise known as ‘the morning after pill’, should require a doctor’s prescription for minors. This is his first direct public statement on the controversial contraceptive. His statement was not welcomed by some who see Plan B as an early form of abortion.

Judie Brown, President of American Life League, said “What happened to President Bush’s campaign promises of respecting the dignity of every human person and creating a culture of life? Based on his apparent willingness to see the Food and Drug Administration authorize the potentially lethal Plan B drug regimen for women over 18, the president is apparently doing anything but protecting innocent human life. It is unfortunate and sad that politics have once again trumped the innocent babies.” Brown wondered why the US President, a self-professed pro-life person, recognize that Plan B does take the lives of newly conceived babies in the days immediately following fertilization.

Those who support universal OTC access to Plan B, regardless of age, say that freeing up access will mean fewer women and girls will end up having abortions.

Cecile Richards, of Planned Parenthood, said that if the president’s comments are an indication that they are finally going to move on this, this would be great progress.

Some years ago an FDA Advisory Committee said Plan B should be available to all females, as an over-the-counter (OTC) drug, regardless of age. The FDA usually goes along with what the Committee recommends. However, in this case, it has not moved. Many doctors and scientists believe the FDA has been influenced by political pressure from the White House. They say the FDA should use science, rather than politics, when making decisions on drugs.

Andrew von Eschenbach is temporary head of the FDA. He wants the job permanently. In order to do this he needs approval from a Senate Committee. Some Democrats in the Committee have placed a hold on his nomination until he makes a decision on the status of Plan B. Hence, the recent sudden FDA rush in deciding to change its status from a prescription to an OTC drug for women over 18.

Plan B is available as OTC in 45 other countries, including the European Union. The USA has a much higher abortion rate than most other developed countries. The USA also has stricter abortion laws when compared to most other developed countries.

What is Plan B?

It is an emergency contraception, a backup method of birth control. Two levonorgestrel pills, 75 mg each, are taken orally within 72 hours by a woman who had unprotected sex. With this treatment a woman’s chances of becoming pregnant are reduced by 89%. The pills also contain progestin.

Levonorgestrel is a synthetic hormone. It has been used in birth control pills for decades.

Plan B stops the release of an egg from the ovary. We don’t know whether Plan B prevents fertilization (union of egg and sperm) – scientists believe it might. If fertilization does happen, Plan B prevents implantation – it stops the egg from attaching to the womb.

Plan B does not work if the fertilized egg is already implanted.

Written by: Christian Nordqvist
Editor: Medical News Today