2008 Woodie Awards
Tanning takes over with severe health risks
Liz Lavin
Issue date: 9/15/06 Section: Perspectives
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The Food and Drug Administration, in conjunction with the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, approved Plan B as an over-the-counter drug for women 18 and older on Thursday, Aug. 24. Girls 17 and under still require a prescription, according to the FDA's official website.
Plan B, otherwise known as the "morning-after pill," is an emergency form of contraception, meaning it is not for routine use. It contains higher doses of the ingredients in normal birth control pills.
It was approved in 1999 for prescription use and Barr Pharmaceuticals has been trying to make the pill an over-the-counter option since 2003, according to the FDA's official website.
Some people are extremely upset by the FDA's delay in letting this drug go over-the-counter. According to Wisconsin's Department of Justice, Wisconsin's Attorney General, Peg Lautenschlager, is filing a complaint against the FDA claiming, "The negative effects of withholding approval of this drug over political - not scientific or other legitimately accepted grounds - are far reaching, hurting not only victims of rape who might be in need of emergency contraception, but the greater community health, the economy and the fundamental right to justice."
I feel that making this pill over-the-counter is a great thing to do. Women will now be able to take faster action if something unexpected occurs. It will reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies, in turn reducing the number of abortions.
Plan B is much more convenient as an over-the-counter option. Obtaining a prescription may not seem like such a hassle, until you need it on a weekend or over a holiday. The sooner a woman takes this pill after unprotected sex, the better her chances of not becoming pregnant.
Unfortunately, if the pill is so easy to obtain, it could open the door for many new problems. Both men and women may feel that they are able to be irresponsible, resulting in a possible increase of sexually transmitted diseases.
This pill is meant to be used responsibly and does not come cheap. The exact price of Plan B is still unknown, but according to the San Francisco Chronicle, one dose alone costs $25- $30. It is doubtful that the price will lower; if anything, it will rise.
The price alone could deter people from misusing Plan B, which I think is a great advantage. Mistakes happen to everyone, and this pill gives women much faster, easier access to preventing an unwanted pregnancy.
Plan B, otherwise known as the "morning-after pill," is an emergency form of contraception, meaning it is not for routine use. It contains higher doses of the ingredients in normal birth control pills.
It was approved in 1999 for prescription use and Barr Pharmaceuticals has been trying to make the pill an over-the-counter option since 2003, according to the FDA's official website.
Some people are extremely upset by the FDA's delay in letting this drug go over-the-counter. According to Wisconsin's Department of Justice, Wisconsin's Attorney General, Peg Lautenschlager, is filing a complaint against the FDA claiming, "The negative effects of withholding approval of this drug over political - not scientific or other legitimately accepted grounds - are far reaching, hurting not only victims of rape who might be in need of emergency contraception, but the greater community health, the economy and the fundamental right to justice."
I feel that making this pill over-the-counter is a great thing to do. Women will now be able to take faster action if something unexpected occurs. It will reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancies, in turn reducing the number of abortions.
Plan B is much more convenient as an over-the-counter option. Obtaining a prescription may not seem like such a hassle, until you need it on a weekend or over a holiday. The sooner a woman takes this pill after unprotected sex, the better her chances of not becoming pregnant.
Unfortunately, if the pill is so easy to obtain, it could open the door for many new problems. Both men and women may feel that they are able to be irresponsible, resulting in a possible increase of sexually transmitted diseases.
This pill is meant to be used responsibly and does not come cheap. The exact price of Plan B is still unknown, but according to the San Francisco Chronicle, one dose alone costs $25- $30. It is doubtful that the price will lower; if anything, it will rise.
The price alone could deter people from misusing Plan B, which I think is a great advantage. Mistakes happen to everyone, and this pill gives women much faster, easier access to preventing an unwanted pregnancy.
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