American Life League Cautiously Optimistic Over FDA Delay 2/13/2004
From: Joe Giganti of American Life League, 703-928-9695; e-mail: jgiganti@all.org; web: http://www.all.org WASHINGTON, Feb. 13 -- American Life League, the nation's largest pro-life grassroots educational organization, welcomes the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to postpone a final decision on granting Plan B (a.k.a. emergency contraception and the morning after pill) over-the- counter status. Joseph R. Giganti, director of media and government relations, stated the following: "It appears that the FDA is displaying uncharacteristic prudence by taking the time to scientifically study the lasting effects this drug has on women and to consider the societal effects making such a drug available over the counter to minors might have. "It is our hope that this delay is not merely an attempt to placate detractors of the morning-after pill, but instead is an earnest effort to reach the facts about using this drug. We would like to encourage the FDA to take this opportunity to not only consider withholding over-the-counter status, but also to remove Plan B and similar drugs from the market completely. "This drug should never have been made legal. It was never properly screened by the FDA, it can contribute to significant health problems in women, such as blood clotting, a loss of fertility and ectopic pregnancies, and it can cause the chemical abortion of an innocent, preborn child whose life has just begun. "Not surprisingly, Planned Parenthood opposes the FDA's desire to do this research. Planned Parenthood currently generates income from the sale of so-called emergency contraception, and stands to make considerably more if it is granted OTC status. This continued opposition to any objective, scientific study of these matters again proves that Planned Parenthood is more interested in the almighty dollar than they are in the life, health and well-being of women or their children." American Life League spokesmen are available for comment on this critical matter. |