FDA Approval of Over-the-Counter Status for Plan B
Hard-Fought Victory for Women
Age Restrictions Medically Unjustified
Statement by Joseph DiNorcia
President and CEO of SIECUS
New York, NY - In a major victory for women's health, the U.S. Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today that it has approved over-the-counter access to Plan B emergency contraception for women 18 years and older. However, young women 17 years and younger will continue to need a prescription from their doctor.
The approval of Plan B emergency contraception to be available to women without a prescription is welcome and long over due news. As the overwhelming scientific evidence has shown, Plan B is a safe and effective back-up birth control method that will significantly reduce the incidences of unintended pregnancy. With this approval finally a reality, women's health has taken a major step forward.
While SIECUS applauds the FDA's decision, we remain disappointed that over-the-counter access to Plan B was not approved for women of all ages. As the scientific evidence has shown, this arbitrary age restriction is medically unjustified. The FDA missed a real opportunity to help reduce the high rate of teen pregnancy that continues to persist in the U.S. SIECUS urges the FDA to look at the evidence and move quickly to lift this age restriction.
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