In a decision which could have a significant impact on women everywhere, the FDA, in compliance with the US District Court in New York, has approved the use of Plan-B One-Step morning after pill as an over the counter product. The FDA also removed the age limit, which restricted the use of the morning after pill amongst teenage girls.
The Decision to Expand Plan-B Availability
This vital decision comes in response to judges of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit who granted the government its request to keep the Plan-B morning after pill constrained to females fifteen and older. Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, expressed her views by stating, “Finally, after more than a decade of politically motivated delays, women will no longer have to endure intrusive, onerous, and medically unnecessary restrictions to get emergency contraception.”
The Impact of Making Plan-B Available to Women of all Ages
US District Judge Edward Korman began this debate when he ruled in April to remove all age restrictions on the popular morning after pill. Before Korman’s decision, Plan-B was sold only without a prescription to women ages seventeen and older. Korman’s decision has sparked student interest on the increased availability of the drug and the impact it could have on young women. Amelia Schlossberg, a senior at Carleton College, said the ruling could drastically change access to the morning after pill on her campus, adding, “With this change, you could just get it over the counter from the front desk receptionist.”
The FDA has since acknowledged that their ruling on the Plan-B morning after pill was based on the court order. While also insisting that the pill is a beneficial commodity in avoiding unexpected pregnancies and in most cases should not cause detriment to your body.