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AAPLOG NEWS RELEASE
For Release:
August 28, 2006
FDA DECISION ON PLAN B IS BAD MEDICINE FOR WOMEN
The FDA’s recent decision to allow over-the-counter status for Plan B
“emergency contraception” for women age 18 and over may be superficially
appealing, but it is a step backward in women’s reproductive healthcare.
Despite assurances that this decision will lead to a reduction in
unintended pregnancies and abortions in the United States, actual data
demonstrate that even providing women free “emergency contraception” on
hand at home has not made a difference in the unintended pregnancy or
abortion rates of women. Going to a pharmacy to buy this medication is
certainly less convenient than in study conditions. Therefore, it can
reasonably be assumed that the results will be the same: no decrease in
unintended pregnancy or abortion rates.
Indeed, the United Kingdom has had over-the-counter access for “emergency
contraception” since 2001 and UK abortion rates have risen to their
highest levels ever. On the other hand, the potential risks to women’s
health are considerable.
Many women will bypass the sexually transmitted disease testing they would
normally receive at the physician’s office. These infections, such as
Chlamydia, HIV, Human Papilloma Virus and others will go undiagnosed and
untreated, leading to infertility, chronic pelvic pain, or even cancer.
Women using Plan B who do conceive have at least 3 times the risk
of potentially fatal ectopic pregnancy. They will be taking the drug
without physician follow-up. How will they know when their life may be in
jeopardy from a tubal pregnancy without physician involvement? They won’t
as bleeding and abdominal pain are symptoms of both a normal menstrual
period and of a rupturing ectopic pregnancy.
Safety data of this medication in the pediatric and young teenage
population is scarce, yet women younger than age 18 will surely
obtain this drug from those over age 18, as there is no mechanism to
monitor or control such activity. Male sexual predators can easily use
this medication to cover their abusive and unlawful actions. Likewise,
the potential exists for increased pressure on young women to become
sexually active, since they may be led to believe that preventing
pregnancy is as simple as taking a pill after intercourse. For many, such
sexual exploitation will not be in their best health interest.
The FDA labeling states that the medication will not abort an implanted
pregnancy, but allows that it may stop implantation of a fertilized egg
(an embryo). We object to this deceptive doublespeak. Terminating a human
embryo is abortion, whether before or after its implantation into the
uterus. Adequate informed consent dictates that the woman using this
medication be plainly informed of this abortifacient potential.
Although short-term studies suggest that the ready availability of
“emergency contraception” does not alter women’s use of standard
contraception, it is possible that increasing familiarity with this
medication over time may lead to more reliance on it by some women for
their general contraceptive needs. Thus, independent of physician
monitoring, this medication may be used repeatedly and frequently by many
women. There are no studies addressing long term health effects of this
type of use.
In light of these concerns, the FDA decision granting over-the-counter
status for Plan B falls short of common sense, sound medical judgment, and
good public health policy.
The American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists represents over 2000 Obstetricians and Gynecologists and partners in women’s health as a Special Interest Group of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
616-546-2639