NCJW Expresses Frustration at FDA Delay on Emergency Contraception
August 29, 2005, Washington, DC -- In response to the failure of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to fulfill its promise to issue a decision by September 1 on over-the-counter availability of Plan B emergency contraception, NCJW President Phyllis Snyder issued the following statement:
"Once again, women's health has taken a backseat to ideology. After setting a September 1 deadline for announcing a decision on whether Plan B emergency contraception would be available to women over-the-counter in pharmacies, the FDA has once again stonewalled. In 2003, by an overwhelming vote, two FDA advisory committees recommended that this important contraceptive be made available without a prescription to women of all ages -- a move supported by most of the major professional medical associations. Yet over the past two years, intense lobbying by right-wing groups that oppose birth control has prevailed over scientific and medical expert opinion.
"Experts estimate that Plan B could cut the number of unintended pregnancies by 50 percent if taken as directed soon after unprotected sexual activity. Victims of sexual assault, for whom quick and easy access to this form of contraceptive is especially critical, are doubly harmed by both the FDA's inaction and the failure of many hospital emergency rooms to provide information about this drug.
"NCJW urges the FDA to use mainstream medical and scientific research as a guide in making public health decisions rather than extreme political and religious ideology. There should be no further delays in making this critically needed public health policy change."
NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.
Contact:
Rebecca Cole
212 645 4048 x182; rcole@ncjw.org