Planned Parenthood Applauds FDA Panel's Recommendation for Over- the-Counter Access to Plan B(r) Emergency Contraception

12/16/2003

From: Gustavo Suarez of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 212-261-4339

NEW YORK, Dec. 16 - Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) today hailed the recommendation of the FDA Nonprescription Drugs and Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committees that Plan B(r) emergency contraception (EC) be made available over the counter. At a joint hearing today the committees heard evidence about the safety and efficacy of EC, including testimony regarding the enormous positive impact that wider EC accessibility would have. The committees agreed that EC meets all customary criteria for over-the-counter availability, including low toxicity, no potential for overdose or addiction, self-indication of need, uniform dosage and no important drug interactions. Virtually all major medical and health care organizations, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, supported making EC available over the counter.

"Today's recommendation is a victory for all women and for sound public health policy," said PPFA President Gloria Feldt. "Wider access to emergency contraception will prevent hundreds of thousands of unintended pregnancies and abortions every year. There is no scientific basis for denying EC over-the-counter availability and we urge the FDA to quickly adopt this recommendation."

Emergency contraception pills are a special combination of birth control pills that reduce the risk of pregnancy if started within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse. The sooner EC is administered, the better it works, making timely access critically important. Research indicates that widespread availability of EC could prevent 1.7 million unintended pregnancies and 800,000 abortions each year in the United States. Studies also prove women use EC responsibly and do not substitute it for their regular birth control method.

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Planned Parenthood Federation of America is the nation's largest and most trusted voluntary family planning organization. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 900 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year.