| FDA Ends Posturing & Approves OTC Plan B |
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24 Aug 2006 Access for Young Women Still Needlessly Limited FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEAugust 24, 2006 CONTACT: Rebecca Wiegand (o) 202-965-7700 (m) 202-427-7450 Washington, DC – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced their approval this morning of over-the-counter access of the drug Plan BR, or emergency contraception, for women 18 years and older. After years of political posturing and denial of scientific evidence, proving the safety and effectiveness of Plan B as a method to prevent unintended pregnancy when taken within the first 120 hours after intercourse, the move is a huge and long overdue victory for women in the United States. However, women under 18 years old – who typically have higher rates of unintended pregnancy and lower levels of access to reproductive health care and services – will still need to have a doctor’s prescription in order to receive the drug. Crystal Plati, Executive Director of Choice USA issued the following statement in response to the FDA’s decision: "We’re thrilled that women will finally have over-the-counter access to this extremely important back-up birth control. Emergency contraception provides an immense opportunity to reduce unintended pregnancies and for women to better determine the course of their own lives." "The decision to approve Plan B for over-the-counter sale has been a 'no-brainer' for the past three years. With FDA scientific panels and leading doctors deeming it safe and effective for non-prescription use, this announcement was long overdue." "While this is a decision that will help millions of women in the United States, the arbitrary age restriction neglects the choices of younger women who often have greater limitations to their reproductive health choices and higher unintended pregnancy rates. The same research and scientific evidence that has shown time and again that Plan B is safe for women has made no distinction for those under 18 years of age. So why then has the FDA opted to create a distinction based on politics and ideology rather than science once again?" Choice USA will continue to lead the fight against the baseless age restriction at the FDA and encourage them to grant all women equal and unimpeded access to emergency contraception. # # #
Choice USA mobilizes and provides ongoing support to the diverse, upcoming generation of leaders who promote and protect reproductive choice both now and in the future. We are dedicated to the right of each person worldwide to decide when and if they will have sex, when and if they will be pregnant, and when and if they will have a child. In order to make those personal decisions, accurate information and safe, legal reproductive health services must be available to everyone.
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