The 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals instructed FDA to have some of the emergency contraceptives available for purchase over-the-counter. This means even the 15 year old girls can freely buy it.
Any contraception or ‘morning-after’ pill containing levonorgestrel, synthetic progesterone used on hormonal contraceptives, is now available to everyone and doesn’t require a medical prescription or an ID for those below 18 years old. However, the court gave FDA the discretion whether ‘Plan B One-Step’ will be one of those pills since the agency still has a pending appeal against it.
Girls can now go to the counter and bring $10 to $80 to buy a morning-after pill which is said to be effective even 120 hours from their sexual encounter. Yet it is the most effective if they take it within 24 hours.
Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, told in an interview with NBC News, “Finally, after more than a decade of politically motivated delays, women will no longer have to endure intrusive, onerous, and medically unnecessary restrictions to get emergency contraception.”
Under the rulings of federal judge Edward Korman, FDA must follow their recommendation and to avoid any bias on brands. FDA allegedly favored the brand Teva among other brands.
Back in 2011, the FDA announced that morning-after pills are available to women of all ages but Kathleen Sebelius, the U.S secretary of health and human services during that time, intervened and set an age limit of 17 years old. This is because they don’t want girls to be involved in sexual activities as early as 11.
On April 5 this year, various women health groups including the Center for Reproductive Rights appealed to court requesting to lift the age restriction.
The morning-after pills have undergone so many issues prior to its approval as there were assumptions that it can end a pregnancy or affect a fetus. However, the FDA confirmed that pills are particularly safe but would still want to remind everyone to practice safe sex.
