Planned Parenthood Teleconference Briefing for Journalists Regarding Emergency Contraception, Friday, May 14 5/13/2004
From: Colleen McCabe, 212-261-4729, Erin Libit, 202-973-4883, News Advisory: -- Medical Experts Will Explain How Emergency Contraception Works and Discuss the Critical Need For Over-The-Counter Access Last week, in a decidedly unscientific ruling, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) denied Barr Laboratories application to change the status of Plan B(r) emergency contraception (EC) from prescription-only to over the counter. There is no scientific reason to restrict access to this safe, effective backup method of birth control. Comprehensive scientific data shows that Plan B meets the FDA's criteria for over-the-counter status. EC is contraception -- and all women, including young women, at risk for unintended pregnancy should have access to it. It is the best way to prevent unintended pregnancy in cases of rape, incest and contraceptive failure. WHAT: Media Teleconference on Emergency Contraception WHEN: Friday, May 14, 2004, 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT WHO: Scott Spear, MD, FAAP, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin- Madison, Chairman, PPFA National Medical Committee Paul Blumenthal, MD, MPH, Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Johns Hopkins University, Director of Contraceptive Research, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center Liza Siebel, Esq., Public Policy Director, Break the Cycle ( http://www.breakthecycle.org ) WHERE: RSVP to Colleen.McCabe@ppfa.org or Erin.Libit@ppfa.org for dialing instructions. Media will be allowed to participate at the discretion of PPFA. BACKGROUND: On December 16, 2003, a joint hearing of the FDA Nonprescription Drugs and Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committees voted 23 to 4 to recommend that the FDA make Plan B EC available over the counter. Virtually all major medical and health care organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, support making EC available without a prescription. |