RI NOW Disappointed with FDA Delay in Making Emergency Contraception Available Over-the-Counter
RI NOW Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2005
Rhode Island NOW (RI NOW) joins activists across the country today in a nationwide day of action, demanding that emergency contraception (EC) be made available to all women, without a prescription.
“It is disappointing, to say the least, that after promising a decision on this matter by September 1, the FDA has yet again delayed its decision on broadening access to EC,” said Meaghan Lamarre, President of RI NOW, “and it is disturbing that any forthcoming decision to make EC available over-the-counter will exclude women under the age of 17. EC is a proven safe and effective method of preventing unplanned pregnancy, and should be available to all women without restrictions.”
“Given the recent incident of a pharmacist at a CVS in Coventry refusing to fill a prescription for Plan B,” continued Lamarre, “Rhode Islanders are especially concerned about women’s unrestricted access to emergency contraception. As we wait for a clarification of CVS’s policy on this issue, we are reminded of how important it is that the FDA allow EC to be sold over-the-counter.”
NOW’s actions on August 30 are part of the organization’s long term commitment to accessible, affordable and comprehensive women’s health care. Emergency contraception is safe and legal birth control. If taken within 24-72 hours after rape, unwanted sexual activity or birth control failure, women can dramatically reduce their odds of facing an abortion or unwanted pregnancy. NOW demands that the FDA promote and protect our health and safety, not the political whims of the White House, the pharmaceutical industry, or anti-women politicians.
Take Action:
- Call the FDA, general comment line: 1-888-463-6332
- Call the office of FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford 301-827-2410
- Call the Office of Women’s Health 301-827-0350
Call or Email the New England Regional Office of the FDA
- Joseph Raulinaitis (508) 793-0422, Joseph.Raulinaitis@fda.hhs.gov
- Susan Small (781) 596-7779, Susan.Small@fda.hhs.gov
- Mary B. Yebba (781) 596-7779, Mary.Yebba@fda.hhs.gov
Read more in the following statement from Kim Gandy:
Statement of National Organization for Women President Kim Gandy
The National Organization for Women calls on women’s health advocates to join in a National Day of Action on Tuesday, August 30, protesting the decision by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding emergency contraception (EC).
Today’s announcement by the FDA, on Women’s Equality Day no less, is insulting on so many levels that I hardly know where to begin.
First, FDA commissioner Lester Crawford lied to the United States Senate to achieve his confirmation to this post. Senators Patty Murray and Hillary Clinton had put a hold on his nomination, and released their hold (thus enabling his confirmation) after his absolute assurance that the FDA would finally make a decision on non-prescription availability of emergency contraception by September 1.
Second, despite years of study, despite strong support from the FDA’s professional staff, despite extensive public hearings and commentary, and despite the near-unanimous recommendations of not one but two FDA advisory panels, this newly appointed Commissioner has again delayed women’s access to emergency contraception (EC) — and with the lame excuse that they need more time for “public comment.”
Third, the one thing that was made clear in today’s announcement is that women under 17 will be left out altogether, and this time the excuse is even more ridiculous: that the “target” users will not be able to understand the directions. Since Plan B consists only of two small white pills, and the directions are to take one pill after unprotected intercourse (within 5 days) and to take the second pill 12 hours after the first one, it is apparent that any teenager with 6th grade reading ability could follow these directions. My 12-year-old daughter could follow those directions easily. And even if the directions weren’t followed properly, EC is extremely safe — so there would be no adverse health consequences to justify extreme measures to keep it out of the hands of young women.
So the FDA’s “reason” is merely an excuse to deny young women access to the means to prevent pregnancy, and at a time in their lives when an unwanted pregnancy would wreak havoc on their young lives and limit their future. And if a young woman can’t understand such a simple label, do we honestly think that the alternative should be motherhood?
Finally, the FDA says it is not making EC available without prescription to women 17 and over because they can’t figure out how to prevent access to those under 17. C’mon — as if they haven’t seen drugstores deal with alcohol, cigarettes, and the nicotine patch for years. This is just another in a long line of decisions that make women’s health secondary to right-wing politics. This administration is determined to turn the FDA into an arm of the Republican Party - carrying out the fondest desires of Bush allies who oppose women’s use of contraception.