Judge orders FDA to reconsider limits on morning-after pill for minors

[Little Wombat]

Judge Orders FDA to Reconsider Limits on Morning-After Pill for Minors


By Rob Stein
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, March 23, 2009; 1:42 PM

A federal court today ordered the Food and Drug Administration to reconsider the agency's controversial decision limiting non-prescription access to the morning-after pill Plan B to women age 18 and older.

US. District Judge Edward R. Korman ordered the FDA to make Plan B available to women age 17 and older within 30 days and to reconsider whether to make the drug available to women of all ages without a prescription.

In his 52-page decision, Korman said the "record is clear that the FDA's course of conduct regarding Plan B departed in significant ways from the agency's normal procedures regarding similar applications to switch a drug from prescription to non-prescription use."

Critics of the FDA's position hailed the ruling.

"We're very excited," said Suzanne Novak, a senior staff attorney for the Center for Reproductive Rights, which filed a lawsuit against the agency to reverse the 2005 decision.

"The message is clear: The FDA has to put science first and leave politics at the door. We are encouraged that the FDA under new leadership, when they look at the evidence, will remove the unique barriers that have been in place and it will finally be available to all women without any barriers," Novak said.

Judge Orders FDA to Reconsider Limits on Morning-After Pill for Minors - washingtonpost.com

[McJag]

Stupid rule. It should be available to any pregnant person,regardless of age.

[Fluffy]

Now, now...women can't be allowed to make decisions for themselves. Who knows what would come of it?

[Aella]

Magic Milkshakes for all!