A federal judge ordered the FDA to remove restrictions on the sale of the emergency contraceptive commonly known as “Plan B”, in an April 5 ruling. The drug, which prevents pregnancy if taken within 72-hours after engaging in unprotected sex, was initially approved by the FDA for use by all ages without a prescription, but in 2011 the Obama Administration overruled the FDA and made the drug available only by prescription to those under age 17.
In his opinion, Judge Edward R. Korman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York wrote that Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelus was obviously motivated by politics, and was pandering to religious groups that oppose contraception for girls, when ordering the restrictions on the drug. Korman noted that the drug is one of the safest drugs available and there is no reason to place restrictions on its use.
Activists with the National Woman’s Liberation (NWL) organization, who were the plaintiffs in this case, hail the ruling as a victory for women.
“National Women’s Liberation believes that any female old enough to get pregnant is old enough to decide that she doesn’t want to be pregnant. This decision to grant immediate access to the Morning-After Pill is a huge step forward in the fight for women and girls to be able to control the course of their lives,” — Stephanie Seguin, NWL-Gainesville Chapter organizer
Emergency contraceptives contain hormones similar to those found in birth control pills and work to prevent pregnancy by delaying ovulation. According to the Plan B manufacturer, the pill will not affect or terminate an existing pregnancy and is not to be confused with the drug RU-486. The drug RU-486, often referred to as the abortion pill, causes the termination of an in-progress pregnancy.
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