Media

For Immediate Release:
January 24, 2005

Contact: Adrienne Verrilli
at: 212-819-9770 x325

Ideology Trumps Science, Again
FDA Postpones Decision on Granting Plan B Emergency Contraception
Over-the-Counter Status

Statement by Joseph DiNorcia, President and CEO
Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S

New York, NY - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), under the oversight of the Bush Administration, has postponed a decision on whether to reclassify Plan B emergency contraception (EC) from prescriptive to over-the-counter (OTC) status. The nation's leading medical organizations and the FDA's own independent advisory committees and expert staff all overwhelming support granting OTC status to Plan B emergency contraception. Unfortunately, the FDA is bowing to political pressure and dragging its feet.

Emergency contraception represents a major breakthrough in public health. Reclassifying EC to over-the-counter status would undoubtedly have a tremendous impact on increasing women's access to this important method of contraception and improving women's health. However, the FDA is choosing to ignore medical and scientific consensus, and continuing to allow conservative ideology to trump science.

Emergency contraception is just that - contraception. Emergency contraceptive pills are a responsible, effective way to prevent pregnancy in situations where a woman's regular method has failed. If taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse, EC reduces the risk of pregnancy by up to 89 percent. The sooner a woman takes EC, the better it works. It is estimated that unhindered access to this form of contraception will cut unintended pregnancies in the U.S. by half.

It is imperative that women have widespread access to emergency contraception, seven days a week, to help reduce this country's staggering rate of unintended pregnancy. SIECUS is deeply disappointed by this delay which is clearly motivated by politics and not public health. We will continue to work tirelessly on behalf of the future of women's reproductive health care.

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Ideology Trumps Science, Again FDA Postpones Decision on Granting Plan B Emergency Contraception Over-the-Counter Status

Ideology Trumps Science, Again
FDA Postpones Decision on Granting Plan B Emergency Contraception
Over-the-Counter Status