“Morning After” Pill May Be Available Soon Without Prescription
Any day now the FDA is expected to approve non-prescription use of the “morning after” contraceptive pills for women 18 and over. The two pills, called Plan B, would be kept behind the pharmacy counter, and verification of age would be required. The panel considered allowing girls as young as 16 to purchase Plan B. However, most FDA officials felt that young teens would not be mature enough to take the pill properly.
Plan B consists of two pills that contain larger doses of the hormone found in birth control pill. Used promptly after unprotected intercourse, the two pills taken 12 hours apart can block the release or fertilization of a woman’s egg. The morning after pill is not the same as RU-486 (“abortion pill”) which terminates early pregnancy by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
Research shows that if emergency contraception were available over the counter, it could prevent as many as half of the 3 million unintended pregnancies in the United States every year.
Some conservatives have voiced opposition to the pill’s use, claiming that its easy availability might result in more promiscuity. For three years, the FDA has delayed making a decision on the morning after pill.
Plan B consists of two pills that contain larger doses of the hormone found in birth control pill. Used promptly after unprotected intercourse, the two pills taken 12 hours apart can block the release or fertilization of a woman’s egg. The morning after pill is not the same as RU-486 (“abortion pill”) which terminates early pregnancy by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus.
Research shows that if emergency contraception were available over the counter, it could prevent as many as half of the 3 million unintended pregnancies in the United States every year.
Some conservatives have voiced opposition to the pill’s use, claiming that its easy availability might result in more promiscuity. For three years, the FDA has delayed making a decision on the morning after pill.
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