ARCHIVE| 2/14/01 Center Petitions FDA to Change EC from Prescription to OTC

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Center for Reproductive Rights Petitions FDA to Change Emergency Contraception from Prescription to Over the Counter

Emergency Contraception Safer than Aspirin
List of Petitioners

February 14, 2001

WASHINGTON -With broad support from the medical community, today the Center for Reproductive Rights petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to change the status of emergency contraceptive pills from prescription to over the counter. The purpose of the Center for Reproductive Rights' Citizen’s Petition is to put emergency contraception pills (EC) into the hands of women so they can safely and effectively prevent the millions of unwanted pregnancies that occur in the U.S. each year. The petition was filed on behalf of over 60 medical groups, including the American Medical Women’s Association and the American Public Health Association.

"Aspirin, which is known to cause overdose deaths, is more dangerous to use than emergency contraception," said Bonnie Scott Jones, the Center for Reproductive Rights staff attorney representing the petitioners. "Emergency contraception meets all the criteria for over the counter availability because they have minor side effects, require no medical screening or monitoring, and can be taken according to simple directions," added Scott Jones.

EC’s can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Emergency contraceptives are a completely different drug than mifepristone or RU-486, which terminates pregnancy at an early stage.

By requiring that EC’s be dispensed by prescription, the FDA is endangering public health. "Unintended pregnancy is a major problem in this country," said David A. Grimes, MD, a leading health care expert. "Nearly 3 million pregnancies in 1994 resulted in unwanted births or abortions. If EC’s could be used in these situations, the number would be reduced by as much as half," added Dr. Grimes.

Because EC’s are most effective when used within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse, any delay increases the likelihood of an unintended pregnancy. By relegating EC’s to a prescription pad, the FDA is overtly harming women who cannot afford or easily access a doctor due to financial or transportation burdens. The FDA’s current prescription requirement also denies women an improved quality of life and increases the already exorbitant social and economic costs our society and government endure on account of unintended pregnancies and abortions.

Petitioners are represented by Bonnie Scott Jones of the Center for Reproductive Rights.

Click here to view the petition.
Factsheet on emergency contraception

PETITIONERS

PETITIONERS ADDED AFTER FEBRUARY 14

Juneau Pro-Choice Coalition
National Women's Law Center
Oregon Medical Association
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice
Robert Sterling Clark Foundation
Society for Adolescent Medicine
Zero Population Growth, Inc.