Emergency Contraception: One Year Later, Age Restrictions Remain

by Roxann MtJoy · 2010-03-23 17:37:00 UTC
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One year ago today, proponents of reproductive justice got to put a notch in the "win" column when a federal court ordered that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was wrong to put limitations on access to emergency contraceptives. In fact, the Court found that the FDA had “acted in bad faith and in response to political pressure” regarding this issue, particularly when it came to its completely arbitrary age restrictions.

It has been a year and the FDA is still dragging its feet in lifting its unreasonable restrictions on emergency contraceptives. Yes, Plan B is now available without a prescription, but pharmacies are required to keep their it behind the counter, forcing potential customers to have to walk up and ask for it (as opposed to be able to discreetly pick it up in an aisle like other OTC drugs). Secondly, customers requesting emergency contraception must show government-issued identification. Why not just make women wear a scarlet "EC"?

All of this is because, despite the Court's ruling that the FDA's age restrictions were politically -- not scientifically -- motivated and should be lifted, emergency contraception is still only available without a prescription to women age 17 and over. The Center for Reproductive Rights, an organization that has been on the front lines of this battle, calls these practices both "intrusive" and "unprecedented for drugs with over-the-counter status." According to even the FDA's own scientific team, there is absolutely no medical reason for hiding emergency contraception behind the counter.

Once again, it seems like the FDA has let politics override fairness and common sense. They've been given a year to overhaul their policies and to place health ahead of politics. Emergency contraceptives should be easily available to all women. Tell the the FDA to end unnecessary age restrictions on emergency contraception.  We've waited a year already. We shouldn't have to wait a day longer.

Photo credit: Sister72

Roxann MtJoy is a freelance writer who previously worked as a case manager at a domestic violence shelter. She is currently attending graduate school for theater in Mount Vernon, N.Y.
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