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  • THURSDAY MAY 6 2004 5:08 PM

FDA rejects OTC morning-after pill

Submitted by Minerva

Edited by Christopher

Today the FDA decided that emergency contraception, or the morning-after pill, will not be sold over the counter. The reason being that it has not been shown that girls under 16 can use the pill safely without a doctor's care.

"Some staff have expressed the concern that this decision is based on non-medical implications of teen sexual behavior, or judgments about the propriety of this activity," said the memo, written by FDA acting drug chief Dr. Steven Galson. "These issues are beyond the scope of our drug approval process, and I have not considered them in this decision."

Opponents of OTC contraception say it will encourage unprotected sex among teenagers, and some claim that the pill causes abortions. Supporters of OTC contracaption argue that it would prevent thousands of abortions every year, and the FDA's own studies support this. The FDA did leave the possibilty open that they will reconsider OTC contraception.

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Comments
katiegirl

katiegirl

Mesa, AZ
April 2004

MAY 06, 2004 05:17 PM

The really jacked up concept about this is the fact that babies are disposed of in garbage cans and elsewhere. Arizona has safe drops all over the valley and we still hear of abandoned newborns. I believe that a world of wanted children would make a world of difference. Anything that could help this should be readily available.

Ninpo

Ninpo

I'm lost
November 2003

MAY 06, 2004 05:25 PM

Well a box of 12 condoms is only 6$..I have heard these pills can go from 30$+, in womens health centers, so i really dont see how it would encourage unsafe sex...even if they were 5$ it would cost 60$ to have sex 12 times using a pill, or 6$ using condoms, teenagers must be rich! ...Are kids still embarrassed to buy condoms, i doubt they would be any less embarassed to buy the pills.

Love

Love

SUICIDEGIRL

I'm lost

MAY 06, 2004 05:26 PM

Why don't they just have it available to purchase for those that are over 16? tongue

Herpes

Herpes

I'm lost
August 2003

MAY 06, 2004 05:28 PM

Love said:
Why don't they just have it available to purchase for those that are over 16? tongue


You should run for office, Ms. Brainiac! Splendid idea!

thegoatlord

thegoatlord

Kokomo, IN
August 2003

MAY 06, 2004 06:13 PM

Ninpo said:
Well a box of 12 condoms is only 6$..I have heard these pills can go from 30$+, in womens health centers, so i really dont see how it would encourage unsafe sex...even if they were 5$ it would cost 60$ to have sex 12 times using a pill, or 6$ using condoms, teenagers must be rich! ...Are kids still embarrassed to buy condoms, i doubt they would be any less embarassed to buy the pills.




where the hell do you go for condoms? im jealous, i pay upwards of 18 for a dozen..

but then again, i dont go cheap wink

baudot

baudot

Oakland, CA
February 2004

MAY 06, 2004 06:29 PM

thegoatlord said:
where the hell do you go for condoms? im jealous, i pay upwards of 18 for a dozen..


www.condomania.com would be one place.
The only way I know to spend more than a buck per condom is to go with the non-latex variety. Via condomania (and most other places) you can get just about anything for a buck apiece or less.

Minerva

Minerva

HOPEFUL

Annapolis, MD

MAY 06, 2004 07:57 PM

condomania is AWESOME

harden

harden

Germany
OLD SKOOL

MAY 07, 2004 09:27 AM

Ninpo said:
Well a box of 12 condoms is only 6$..I have heard these pills can go from 30$+, in womens health centers, so i really dont see how it would encourage unsafe sex...even if they were 5$ it would cost 60$ to have sex 12 times using a pill, or 6$ using condoms, teenagers must be rich! ...Are kids still embarrassed to buy condoms, i doubt they would be any less embarassed to buy the pills.



These pills arent used instead of a condom. You will need this if (eg) if you have a leaked, bursted, exploded condom.

The morning after pill is not intended for daily use, just in case of (decribed above) emergency. And I believe its better to pay some bucks for that pill than having an abortion or leaving the newborn somewhere...

scooter11

scooter11

USA
OLD SKOOL

MAY 07, 2004 10:27 AM

To beat my hobbyhorse again, this makes clear that when Jeebofascists oppose abortion not to protect fetal life, but to control women's sexuality. Here, we have a completely safe medication that would protect fetal life, and wingnuts still oppose it. Why? Because some people think sex is fun, and that's a bad, bad thing!

Morgan

Morgan

SUICIDEGIRL

Illinois, USA

MAY 07, 2004 11:08 AM

scooter11 said:
To beat my hobbyhorse again, this makes clear that when Jeebofascists oppose abortion not to protect fetal life, but to control women's sexuality. Here, we have a completely safe medication that would protect fetal life, and wingnuts still oppose it. Why? Because some people think sex is fun, and that's a bad, bad thing!



Exactly. I can't see any other reason to want to ban it except for to try and enforce "sexual morality".

Minerva

Minerva

HOPEFUL

Annapolis, MD

MAY 07, 2004 02:55 PM

scooter11 said:
To beat my hobbyhorse again, this makes clear that when Jeebofascists oppose abortion not to protect fetal life, but to control women's sexuality. Here, we have a completely safe medication that would protect fetal life, and wingnuts still oppose it. Why? Because some people think sex is fun, and that's a bad, bad thing!



my thoughts exactly. hey... we have the same hobbyhorse! tongue

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