Currently, emergency contraception, also known as the "morning after pill" or Plan B One-Step, is available for purchase to women 17 years or older with a valid ID. However, females 16 years and younger can also purchase the drug with a prescription.
Last December in an unparalleled move, the Department of Health and Human Services overruled the Food and Drug Administration's proposal to allow the emergency contraceptive, Plan B One-Step, to be available over-the-counter to all ages.
According to Businessweek Magazine, "President Obama said, ‘[Director, Kathleen] Sebelius made that decision on her own.’ But he said he thought she was worried about young girls experiencing harmful side effects, saying, ‘I think most parents would probably feel the same way.’”
Dr. Robert Block of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), disagreed with Sebelius' decision and said "[it is] medically inexplicable."
Many medical experts agree the morning-after pill is safe and could also prevent abortions. For example, the AAP believes making the "morning after pill" available over-the-counter could lower the nation's high rate of unplanned pregnancies.
According to the Los Angeles Times, "When [emergency contraception is] taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, the pill is effective in preventing pregnancy by restricting ovulation or blocking the implantation of a fertilized egg."
Here is a brief history of Plan B One-Step:
• 1999 – Approved by the FDA
• 2004 – FDA rejects application to make Plan B One-Step available without a prescription
• 2006 – FDA makes Plan B One-Step available to women 18 and older without a prescription
• 2009 – FDA allows Plan B One-Step available to women 17 and older without a prescription
• 2011 – Department of Health and Human Services overrules the FDA’s proposal to allow the emergency contraceptive over-the-counter
Currently, there are two additional emergency contraception pills available in the marketplace. One called Next Choice is a two-pill generic version which is also sold behind the counter. The second is a prescription-only pill named Ella.
Emergency contraception can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 94 percent. The pill is most effective within the first 24 hours but can be taken up to 120 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. The pill can be taken after forgetting regular contraception, cases of rape or condom failure.
Emergency contraception prevents fertilization of an egg and ovulation. The morning-after pill will not be effective if a woman is already pregnant. Emergency contraception is often confused with RU-486.
Emergency contraception pills contain a high dose of the same female hormone which can be found in regular birth control pills.
Reviewed on February 2, 2012
by Maryann Gromisch, RN
Edited by Jody Smith
References:
Brown, D. Morning-after pill advocates take their case to Obama’s science adviser. Washington Post. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/morning-after-pill-advoca...
Morning after pill should be available to all capable of child bearing - The Daily Athenaeum - West Virginia University . The Daily Athenaeum - West Virginia University. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from
http://www.thedaonline.com/opinion/column-morning-after-pill-should-be-a...
Mason, M., & Bureau, W. White House rejects wider access to morning-after pill - Los Angeles Times. Featured Articles From The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from
http://articles.latimes.com/2011/dec/07/nation/la-na-plan-b-20111208
NEERGAARD, L. Obama: Morning-after pill decision 'common sense' - BusinessWeek. Businessweek - Business News, Stock Market & Financial Advice. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9RGFC800.htm
Plan B Often Denied To Girls In Low-Income Areas, New Study Reports. Breaking News and Opinion on The Huffington Post. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/25/plan-b-often-denied-to-gi_n_123...
Teens in Low-Income Areas Have Less Access to Emergency Contraception - ABC News. ABCNews.com - Breaking News, Latest News & Top Video News - ABC News. Retrieved January 30, 2012, from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/teens-low-income-areas-access-emergency-con...