Urge the FDA to stop mixing politics with women's lives: demand over-the-counter contraception
February 2, 2005 14:46 ~In The Arizona Daily Wildcat

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) once again gave in to right-wing pressure in deciding to delay its decision on over-the-counter (OTC) status for the emergency contraceptive, Plan B, for women ages 16 and older. Previously, in May 2004, Barr Laboratories was given a "not approvable" letter from the FDA when they applied for OTC status for Plan B. This decision was made despite the fact that the FDA's own expert advisory panel deemed the drug to be safe and effective and voted 23-4 in favor of making it available over-the-counter. The OTC status of emergency contraception is supported by a wide-range of medical and women's health organizations, including the American Medical Association, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Women's Health Network and National Black Women's Health Project.

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