---
PLAN B: IT'S NOT AN EMERGENCY IF YOU'RE UNDER THE AGE OF 18?
Better late than never, the FDA announced yesterday that the emergency contraceptive will be available over the counter, but only if you're over 18. One might suppose the consequences of unplanned pregnancy would be greater for women under 18. That it was approved at all after a 3-year struggle must be credited to three women. Susan Wood, resigned as head of women's health at the FDA a year ago to protest failure to approve over-the-counter sale (WN 2 Sep 05). Senators Clinton and Murray made it clear that without it Bush family friend Andrew von Eschenbach would not be confirmed to head FDA.
[And from Sept. 2, 2005:]
THE WOMEN'S HEALTH CHIEF: OFFICIAL RESIGNS OVER PLAN B DELAY. Assistant FDA Commissioner Susan Wood has resigned following a decision to further delay action on a plan to allow easier access to the morning-after contraceptive. An expert advisory panel of the FDA favored the change 23 to 4, in order to reduce abortions and unwanted pregnancies. Opposition comes from religious conservatives who believe a fertilized egg is a new life. Although Plan B is a contraceptive, researchers think that in some cases it might keep a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. Susan Wood's job description calls for her to be "a champion for women's health." The description fit her well.
http://bobpark.physics.umd.edu/WN05/wn090205.html