Failure to Increase Access to Emergency Contraception a Failure for All

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius failed to accept the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommendation to make Plan B One-Step emergency contraception available without a prescription for people under 17. Emergency contraception will continue to be available for women under 17 with a prescription, and behind the counter, once age is verified, for those 17 and older.

This decision appears to be politically motivated rather than based in science and research. The FDA had been expected to approve over-the-counter availability of Plan B One-Step, without an age restriction, based on its thorough and careful review of the data on usage. However, Sebelius, in an unprecedented action, overrode the FDA’s recommendation.

Read the full articleon The Healthy Teen Network Blog.