Planned Parenthood Applauds Bi-Partisan Effort to Bring Emergency Contraception Over the Counter
For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014
Legislation Would Require the FDA to Make a Long Overdue Decision
WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Christopher Shays (R-CT), Jay Inslee (D-WA) and Joseph Crowley (D-NY) today introduced the "Plan B for Plan B Act of 2005," which would require the FDA to make a decision on the over the counter application currently pending for Plan B emergency contraception (EC). Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) Interim President Karen Pearl commended the efforts of these members of Congress in the following statement.
"As America's largest provider of EC, Planned Parenthood is deeply grateful for the efforts of Representatives Maloney, Shays, Inslee and Crowley. Planned Parenthood knows how great the need is for this medication, which can help prevent pregnancy after contraceptive failure, unprotected sex, or sexual assault. The time has come for the FDA to quit stalling and live up to its mission of protecting the public's health and well being.
"All of us should be working together to increase women's access to this important method of birth control. Emergency contraception has been proven safe and effective, and the FDA's own advisory panels overwhelmingly approved over-the-counter status for Plan B emergency contraception.
"Every day the FDA puts off making a decision about increasing access to EC, more women are put at risk of unintended pregnancy. It is time for the FDA to stop playing politics with women's lives and return to the days when its obligation to protect public health was taken seriously."