Republicans Want to Abstain From Morning After Pill
By George Anderson
A group of 49 House Republicans have written to President Bush asking him to order the Food and Drug Administration to reject a proposal to approve the “morning after” pill for
over-the-counter (OTC) sales.
The contraceptive, levonorgestrel, would be marketed under the name Plan B. The pill has been shown to prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.
The members of Congress lobbying the President suggest that making the pill available for OTC sale would encourage promiscuity and unsafe sexual practices.
Moderator’s Comment: What are your thoughts on the morning after pill being approved for sale OTC?
Tommy Thompson, Health and Human Services Secretary, says the decision on whether to approve levonorgestrel for OTC is going to be made solely on the science.
We’ll see. [George
Anderson – Moderator]