President Obama's health secretary recently decided to stop a plan to move the "Plan-B" morning after pill to store counters next to condoms and is being backed up by the President who stated that the decision was "common sense" when looking at the interests of our youth.
Sebelius (health secretary) stated that one of her concerns was whether young girls knew how to properly use the drug and that she was concerned over possible health risks to younger women. While Obama says that decision and reasoning was hers alone, he agrees with her saying "I think most parent's would probably feel the same way."
Plan B is still available without a prescription, but is kept behind the counter and is restricted to girls age 17 and above. Dr. Robert Block of the American Academy of Pediatrics said the decision is "medically inexplicable" as the drug has been deemed safe, and easier access, the group says, would lower the large amount of unplanned pregnancies in young teens we see every year throughout the country.
The FDA has said previously in 2009 that the age-limit restrictions were political and not science based, suggesting a reconsideration of the rule should happen.
Right wing and religious groups backed the opposition saying that many parents are concerned over the safety of the drug, while FDA officials claim that the drug is safe and should be available to all women who have the ability to get pregnant.
With elections looming, many think the decision will hurt the democratic support of the President, while possibly adding votes from independants as Obama does not appear to be completely on the liberal side of all issues...
Personally, politics have should nothing to do with it. If it passed the tests and is deemed safe to use by the people we trust to test and regulate our food and drugs, it should be available. If we don't listen to the experts we have working for us, who and what are we going to trust for our info?
story below...
http://health.yahoo.net/news/s/ap/us_med_morning_after_pill
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