Washington, DC, May 11, 2004 —The American Public Health Association renewed its call today for improving access to emergency contraception following the Food and Drug Administration’s recent disappointing rejection of over-the-counter sales of the emergency contraceptive Plan B. The association’s announcement came during National Women’s Health Week.
Despite the overwhelming recommendation of its own expert scientific advisory panel, the FDA last week denied the application to make the drug available for sale over the counter.
"The science clearly supports increasing access to emergency contraception to protect women’s health and prevent unintended pregnancies and subsequent abortions," said Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP, executive director of the American Public Health Association. "The FDA’s decision impedes access to an important public health intervention for women across the country."
The association last year adopted policy that supports public education about emergency contraception and reducing barriers to its use. According to the policy, nearly 50 percent of all pregnancies in the United States are unintended, almost half of which end in abortion. Furthermore, more than half of unintended pregnancies occur among women who are using contraception; 50 percent of unintended pregnancies could be avoided if women had the information and timely access to emergency contraception.
"National Women’s Health Week is a good opportunity to raise the importance of improving access to emergency contraception," said Benjamin. "This is one among many areas, including other reproductive health concerns, mental health, access to preventive and health services, violence, research and pay equity, that must be addressed if we are to see long-term improvements in the health status of women in this country."
National Women’s Health Week, www.4women.gov/whw/.