FDA approves abortifacient ‘morning-after’ pill for 17-year-olds without prescription

April 24, 2009

Heeding a March 23 federal court order, the US Food and Drug Administration has permitted the manufacturer of the Plan B ‘morning-after’ pill to make the abortifacient and contraceptive available to 17-year-olds without a prescription.

“The FDA’s court-driven decision to make Plan B available without a prescription to 17-year-old minors-- as well as to adults-- flies in the face of common sense,” said Deirdre McQuade, Assistant Director for Policy and Communications of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. “It is 40 times more potent than comparable progestin-only birth control pills (Ovrette) for which a prescription is required. Wider access to Plan B could endanger the lives of newly-conceived children, and will put minors at risk for unnecessary side effects, undermine parental rights, and contribute to higher STD rates.”

McQuade adds:

The FDA describes Plan B as ‘a contraceptive drug.’ Although Plan B can prevent fertilization, the manufacturer admits it may also prevent an embryo from implanting in the womb, which is essential to his or her continued survival. Since it takes several days for the growing embryo to reach the uterine lining and implant in the mother’s womb, the child in his or her second week of life could die as a direct result of Plan B. This is properly

understood as an early abortion

 

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Further information:

• Pro Life Spokeswoman Objects To FDA Approval Of "Morning-After Pill" For Minors Without Prescription (USCCB)
• Updated FDA Action on Plan B (levonorgestrel) Tablets (FDA)