The thinking on the part of these respected physicians and scientists was that EC is a safe form of birth control safe enough to allow it to be purchased OTC without requiring that patients interact with a healthcare professional. Subsequently, in 2003, after reviewing more than 15,000 pages of clinical data from approximately forty studies submitted with the OTC application, the F.D.A.s Nonprescription Drugs and Reproductive Health Drugs Advisory Committees, by a 23 to 4 vote, overwhelmingly recommended that Plan B brand emergency contraception (which is Levonorgestrel, a form of progesterone) be licensed for OTC use and issued strong caveats that no age or distribution restrictions were warranted. approved Plan B brand emergency contraception for prescription use. It includes significantly more safeguards than the medical professionals tell us are needed. This legislation creates a much more limited "behind the counter" access. This bill does not go that far Federal law would not enable us to.
They take that stand because they know that it is highly safe and effective, has no contraindications, and must be taken soon by people whose circumstances may make it difficult to see a health care professional in time.
The American Medical Association (AMA), ACOG, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Public Health Association (APHA) and Food and Drug Administration (F.D.A.) scientific advisory committees recommend that EC be available over-the-counter (OTC), like cough medicine or aspirin. Many pharmacies are open on weekends and holidays while doctors offices are not. Being able to obtain EC in a timely manner from a pharmacist when it is not feasible to get an appointment to see a physician, nurse practitioner, licensed midwife or physicians assistant is critical. Currently, a patient may obtain a prescription for EC from a physician, nurse practitioner, licensed midwife or physicians assistant. One dose of EC is followed by a second dose twelve hours later. However, the sooner EC is taken the more effective it is. EC is most effective when used within seventy-two hours of unprotected intercourse. In the interest of preventing thousands of abortions a year, I respectfully urge you to sign this legislation into law.Įmergency contraception has been found to be a safe and effective method for preventing unintended pregnancies. Medical experts, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), believe that increased access to EC will reduce the number of abortions in New York by at least one half.
According to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), there were 120,349 induced abortions in 2002, of which 9,155 girls were seventeen and under. This has been the case in other states in which emergency contraception (EC) has been made more easily accessible. This legislation has the potential to prevent several thousand abortions a year in New York. I have sponsored the above referenced bill which has passed in the Assembly in each of the last three years. Re: A.116/S.3661 "Unintended Pregnancy Prevention Act"