By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Plan B’s Balancing Act
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Health Reform > Plan B’s Balancing Act
Health ReformMedical EthicsNewsPolicy & LawPublic Health

Plan B’s Balancing Act

Liz Seegert
Liz Seegert
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

The FDA’s recent ruling allowing the Plan B emergency contraceptive to be sold over the counter to anyone over age 15 naturally has both critics www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20130430/INFO/304309979?AllowView=VW8xUmo5Q21TcWJOb1gzb0tNN3RLZ0h0MWg5SVgra3NZRzROR3l0WWRMWGJVUDRCRWxIeU96eTMyWmV2NUh3WUpidW8=&utm_source=link-20130430-INFO-304309979&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=am” target=”_blank”>recent ruling allowing the Plan B emergency contraceptive to be sold over the counter to anyone over age 15 naturally has both critics plan band supporters buzzing.

In a statement, Planned Parenthood Federation of America President Cecile Richards called the ruling an “important step forward to expand access to emergency contraception” that will help more women prevent unintended pregnancies. She also called for lifting “all unnecessary restrictions to emergency contraception, consistent with the prevailing science and medicine.”

Earlier this month, a federal judge struck down age restrictions on Plan B and ordered that it must be made available to all women without a prescription. Judge Edward Korman accused the Obama administration of playing politics after HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius overrode a previous FDA decision to make the pill more widely available to more young women. Until now, only women age 17 and older could obtain Plan B without a prescription.

This FDA decision is separate from Korman’s ruling, and is based on an application by the manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceuticals, citing additional evidence supporting lowering the age of non-prescription availability.

More Read

The Truth About Healthcare Around the World
A Better Way to Avoid Pregnancy
Storytelling Gives Dementia Patients Joy, Improves Medical Student Attitudes
Should Parents be Allowed to Give Teachers Gifts?
Deconstructing the Misconceptions About the Benefits of Preventive Healthcare

Anne Higgins, of the conservative Family Research Council, said the health of young girls is now at risk. “Making Plan B available for girls under the age of 17 without a prescription flies in the face of medical information and sound judgment. I am very troubled that the court has not fully taken into account the concerns expressed by HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and many public health advocates that there is not enough data on the health effects of Plan B on young girls.”

However FDA Commissioner Margaret Hamberg, MD, who supported the agency’s earlier decision to lift all age restrictions, said “the data reviewed by the agency demonstrated that women 15 years of age and older were able to understand how Plan B One-Step works, how to use it properly, and that it does not prevent the transmission of a sexually transmitted disease.”

Teva is working on packaging that alerts cashiers to require proof of age from consumers. Meanwhile, there’s no word yet on whether the Obama Administration will appeal Judge Korman’s order to lift all age restrictions. They have until May 5 to do so. Otherwise the ruling stands.

Not surprisingly, reaction from parents was mixed. What do you think? Post a comment below to share your thoughts.

Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

dental care
Importance of Good Dental Care for Health and Confidence
Dental health Specialties
October 2, 2025
AI in Healthcare
AI in Healthcare: Technology is Transforming the Global Landscape
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
October 1, 2025
Choosing the Right Swimwear for Health and Safety
News
September 30, 2025
sports concussions
Concussion In Sports: How Common They Are And What You Need To Know
Infographics
September 28, 2025

You Might also Like

Image
Medical Education

6 Tips for Avoiding Illness When You Work in a Medical Office

June 6, 2012
health insurance exchanges
Policy & Law

#ObamaCare and You: The Health Insurance Marketplace and Small Business

October 3, 2013

“Too Posh To Push” in UK

November 21, 2011

New OIG Self-Disclosure Protocol

April 20, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?