Americans love to argue about the line that separates church and state. But what about science and state?
Congressional Democrats, including Washington Sen. Patty Murray, have accused fellow politicians of meddling in Food and Drug Administration affairs - namely, the pending over-the-counter availability of emergency contraception.
Leading scientists agree that women should have non-prescription access to emergency contraception. And scientists know best.
Washington, along with nine other states, allows pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception, also known as the "morning after pill," without a prescription - although the state pharmacy board has called for pharmacist discretion. In June, the board proposed and endorsed a rule that would allow pharmacists to refuse to dispense emergency contraception. On Monday, nine Washington women filed official complaints in Olympia. The board meets again Aug. 31, and should use the opportunity to drop the proposal.
In 1997, FDA researchers concluded that oral contraceptive pills, taken correctly, are safe for emergency use. In 1999, the FDA approved Plan B, an emergency contraceptive pill also marketed under the name Levonorgestrel. In 2000, the American Medical Association announced its support for over-the-counter emergency contraception.
In 2003, members of an FDA independent joint advisory committee voted 23-4 to recommend Plan B for over-the-counter sale. They also decided - in a 27-1 vote - that Plan B could be safely used, even by adolescents.
In 2005, the Journal of the American Medical Association reported that increased access to emergency contraception does not lead to increases in pregnancy rates or unprotected sex, or cause women to give up regular birth control. Also in 2005, the American Academy of Pediatrics published a statement in support of making emergency contraception available over the counter to teens and young adults.
Despite overwhelming evidence that emergency contraception is safe and effective, the FDA approval process has stalled again and again. Agency administrators and their political allies have likened emergency contraception to abortion. The morning-after pill contains hormones, like those in birth-control pills, and prevents pregnancy a short time after unprotected intercourse. It inhibits or delays ovulation and/or interferes with implantation.
That's very different from the "abortion pill," mifepristone, which is given within 49 days of con. It blocks progesterone receptors in the lining of the uterus, cutting off support to an already-formed embryo.
Neither morality nor politics should cloud FDA approval. According to scientists, the drug is safe, effective and suitable for over-the-counter distribution. It should be made available.
Labels: No Prescription, Online Pharmacy, Prescription Drugs
# posted by Network @ 9:51 PM
