Outrage over Plan B Denial

Outrage over Plan B Denial

Statement of the Abortion Care Network    12/7/2011
For comments: Charlotte Taft, Director 505-490-2084  ctaft@abortioncarenetwork.org

We are outraged that women's health care has once again been played as politics.

In a shocking and unprecedented move, Secretary of Health and Human Services Sebelius has overturned the decision of the FDA to permit the over the counter sale of Plan B One-Step. The FDA recommendation allowing the medication to be sold without age restriction or prescription came after detailed study. In her statement, FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamburg, MD wrote,

"I reviewed and thoughtfully considered the data, clinical information, and analysis provided by CDER, and I agree with the Center that there is adequate and reasonable, well-supported, and 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.
However, this morning I received a memorandum from the Secretary of Health and Human Services invoking her authority under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to execute its provisions and stating that she does not agree with the Agency’s decision to allow the marketing of Plan B One-Step nonprescription for all females of child-bearing potential."

The availability of Plan B One-Step could prevent thousands of unintended pregnancies. It is well known that the attempts to restrict access to  reproductive health options such as Plan B come from the Fundamentalist Right Wing's obsession to control women's choices. Plan B is most effective the sooner it is taken after unprotected intercourse. It is folly to imagine that young women have easy access and the financial means to to be seen by  a physician--especially when this same right wing has been so successful in closing down family planning and health centers all over the country. It is also folly to imagine that there will always be a pharmacy open and a pharmacist available who will fill such a prescription when more and more pharmacists refusing to fill legal prescriptions because of their own political opinions.

The right to make decisions about reproductive health care must be available to all women of reproductive age.