Credit - AP/Evan Vucci
Once again, young women and their ability to prevent unwanted pregnancies are being used as political footballs.
In a statement acknowledging HHS’s rejection, FDA administrator Margaret Hamburg argued that “there is … science-based evidence that Plan B One-Step is safe and effective and should be approved for nonprescription use for all females of child-bearing potential.”
In a separate statement, HHS explained that it turned down the proposal because data submitted by the FDA did not “conclusively establish” that the emergency contraceptive could be used safely by girls of any age.
However we note that young men of any age can buy condoms safely over the counter without government interference. The hypocrisy is glaring.
Democratic Sen. Patty Murray today criticized the Obama administration for blocking a plan to make emergency contraceptives more widely available. “We need to leave decisions about patient protections up to the experts,” she said. “No one should come between women and the experts that are charged with making impartial, non-political decisions about the safety of the drugs they use.”
The decision under the direction of the White House came as a huge surprise to many doctors, health advocates, and members of Congress who had backed relaxing restrictions to prevent unwanted pregnancies. More of the Story in the New York Times here.