Daylight for 'morning-after'
Editorial
Waco Tribune
Saturday, August 12, 2006 When it comes to approving and monitoring the drugs, medicines and food sold to Americans, the Food and Drug Administration should rely on the best science available. Politics should not be allowed to trump science when it comes to deciding what drugs are safe and effective for U.S. consumers. Regrettably, sometimes sound science has to struggle to overcome political expediency. It’s been a long time coming, but fortunately it now appears that the FDA is prepared to make a sound decision on a controversial drug: the so-called morning-after pill. In 2003, a panel of FDA science advisers overwhelmingly approved over-the-counter sale of Plan B, a drug manufactured by Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. Plan B is highly effective in preventing pregnancies if taken the morning after sex. This contraceptive was described by the government science panel as "safer than aspirin." Considering its safety and effectiveness at preventing unwanted pregnancies, the science panel recommended immediate over-the-counter sale of Plan B without any age restrictions. Plan B, the science panel reported, also proved to be safe in not disturbing existing pregnancies. By effectively preventing pregnancies, the scientists described Plan B as a contraceptive drug, which acts in much the same way as birth-control pills. Plan B is not to be confused with the abortion pill RU 486. Plan B prevents pregnancies — hence fewer abortions. Nonetheless, abortion opponents have condemned it as an abortion pill. In negotiating to release these contraceptive pills for over-the-counter sales, the FDA at first suggested limiting sale to people 16 and older. Next, it was 17 and older. Now, it appears that the FDA is prepared to approve the sale of Plan B to those 18 and older. Acting FDA commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach has pledged to be guided by "sound science." If he lives up to his pledge, the FDA will approve Plan B for over-the-counter sales.
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