Update: 2006 to 2011

"...On August 18, 2006 Plan B® emergency contraception (two .75mg levonorgestrel tablets) was finally granted over-the-counter (OTC) status for women 18 and older." (Source: http://www.rhtp.org/contraception/emergency/adolescents.asp)

In March 2009 the age restriction was lowered from 18 to 17 for Plan B, and 2 other products are available to to girls 17 and under.

This shows the progress made on this issue over recent years, and yet the issues raised by this debate still echo throughout US culture.

Many people have argued against Emergency Contraception being sold over the counter on the grounds that it encourages teenagers not to practice safe sex, and indeed that it encourages them to have sex.

These are both issues that are still widely debated separately.

The US federal government policy on education teens about sex has fundamentally changed under the Obama Administration. The Responsible Education about Life Act (2007) acknowledges that "Abstinence - Only - until - Marriage" is a naive and idealistic policy, and even states that: "Research shows that teenagers who receive sexuality education that includes discussion of contraception are more likely than those who receive abstinence-only messages to delay sexual activity and to use contraceptives when they do become sexually active. (Source: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?) c110:S.972:)

These themes have been taken up in the US through the arts and media, most notably in recent popular culture by the hugely popular TV show "GLEE", which throughout addresses the issue of teen pregnancy. The ongoing storyline in Season One is the head cheerleader's pregnancy, how she tries to hide it, and deal with it. The theme is continuously addressed through Season 2, particularly in Episode 15, with Gwyneth Paltrow as the progressive substitute Sex Ed teacher, Holly Holiday.





This only serves to show that it is still a theme widely acknowledged and debated throughout US media and popular culture.

Not Abortion

The FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) has rejected the application for Emergency Contraception to be available over the counter nationally because christian fundamentalists see Emergency Contraception as a form of abortion. This is in fact not the case. Emergency Contraception works to prevent a pregnancy occuring. Emergency contraception does not contain the same chemical ingredients as mifepristone, and therefore it is not an abortion pill. If the woman is already pregnant, the Emergency Contraception such as Plan B will not harm the pregnancy.

Progress

Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York and Washington already allow trained pharmacists to dispense ECP s to women in need without visiting a clinician.

This is what all states should legislate. They should allow all women freedom of choice. Religious issues should not come into federal legislation. Legislation should be based purely upon scientific research and should allow for freedom of choice for all religions and beliefs.

Problems with Prescriptions

Emergency contraception is intended for use in exactly that situation, an emergency. It is most effective when used as soon as possible. Although known as "the morning after pill", the sooner it is taken the more effective it will be.

The need for a prescription only serves to slow down this process and increase the costs. Under the US healthcare system both a doctor's appointment and the prescription cost money. It also takes time to get an appointment, therefore increasing the time it takes to receive the drug. Thus reducing its effectiveness in the name of control.

It would still be exercising control over the dispensation, if it were allowed to be sold over the counter by a qualified pharmacist.

The main issue explained

This issue deserves consideration because it would seem that the Bush administration is against contraception in all its forms. Rather, G.W. Bush advocates abstinence over effective contraception. This attitude is fundamentally flawed in that human beings are mammals designed to procreate and secondly are themselves ‘flawed’ in that teenagers will rebel and have sex, whatever the consequences or moral issues may be. Whether or not to have sex is an issue of choice and it is not one that anyone other than ourselves can make for us.