PPFA: FDA Corrupts Science with Ideology, Denies Women Essential Access to Plan B(r) Emergency Contraception

5/6/2004

From: Colleen McCabe, 212-261-4729; Joel Lawson, 202-973-4880, both of Planned Parenthood Federation of America

NEW YORK, May 6 -- Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today condemned the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) decision to deny Plan B(r) emergency contraception (EC) over-the-counter status. The major public health setback will prevent American women from accessing a much- needed safe and effective back-up method for preventing unintended pregnancies.

"This is anti-choice politics at its worst," said PPFA Vice President for Medical Affairs Dr. Vanessa Cullins. "There is no scientific reason to restrict access to this safe, effective backup method of contraception. Comprehensive scientific data shows that Plan B meets the FDA's criteria for over-the-counter status. The FDA's decision proves only one thing: dangerous anti-choice ideology is trumping scientific fact at the expense of women's health and well-being. This is the latest assault in this administration's war on choice. They are willingly sacrificing the health and lives of women and teens to promote a narrow ideological agenda."

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 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.

Emergency contraception pills contain hormones that reduce the risk of pregnancy when started within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse. The sooner EC is administered after unprotected intercourse, the better it works, making timely access critically important. Studies show that women do not rely on emergency contraception as a regular method of birth control. Research indicates that 1.7 million unintended pregnancies and 800,000 abortions a year could be prevented through increased access to EC.