HealthDay News — Physicians from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), together with the American Medical Organization and nine other health organizations, are urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reconsider the age limit for access to Plan B One-Step emergency contraception.
Lifting the age restriction for emergency contraception would reduce unintended pregnancy rates and the number of abortions in the United States, according to the ACOG, which noted that emergency contraception is safe for all women.
In a letter to the HHS, the health organizations cited extensive scientific research supporting the FDA decision to lift the age restriction for emergency contraception, so all women can have access in cases of unprotected sex, sexual assault, or contraceptive failure.
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Medical authorities agree that Plan B One-Step is safe for anyone at risk of unintended pregnancy, and that requiring a prescription serves as an unnecessary barrier to access, especially given the time-sensitive nature of emergency contraception.
Plan B is safe for teenagers, and no evidence exists to indicate that access to Plan B encourages risky sexual behavior among adolescents.
“The science shows conclusively that Plan B is safe for all women and should be available over-the-counter to all women,” the authors wrote. “Accordingly, we urge you to remove the age restriction for over-the counter access for Plan B One-Step.”
