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I am not saying that Plan B should not be sold over the counter, as I said; I do not have the necessary background to say that. As the drug has been approved for prescription use, I presume that it has been shown to not carry long term health effects when used properly, and as such the only real question before the FDA should be with regard to complications associated with it’s use and whether or not they indicate that a physician be involved in administering the drug.
My central argument is that better and more convenient access to the Pill is a more effective front where to focus one’s efforts to entreat the FDA.
I think, that by focusing on OTC approval of the Pill (which ever version of the Pill is most safe and effective to circumvent arguments about the different versions of the pill) you avoid the very real political opposition to Plan B (even among conservatives the Pill is already a common part of people’s lives), and increase acceptance of the notion of women overseeing their own reproductive health.
Yes I do believe that research should be done into the effects of repeated use of a drug before it is approved to be taken without a doctor’s supervision. I also believe that such studies have yet to be done with regard to Plan B. And yes, I do believe that the pain and discomfort of the use this drug will not prevent its use by many people as a primary form of birth control. People routinely do things that are not good or enjoyable for them because it is a path of least resistance. This being said however my beliefs are beside the point in this debate. What I have an issue with is whether or not this is the most effective fight to be waged.
While I certainly feel for the woman who finds herself in a situation where this drug is denied them, a woman in a rural area where local mores prevent her access to Plan B by prescription would be in no better a situation if Plan B were an OTC drug. The local pharmacist who opposed the drug with a prescription would be just as opposed to its sale OTC and choose not to carry the drug at all. Likewise, as the drug is to be used as an emergency contraceptive there may not be a large market for it in these rural areas giving larger retailers the cover not to carry it as well, and there by avoid confrontation with local opposition.
By contrast, if the efforts currently focused on getting Plan B approved for over the counter sales were instead put on the Pill, then in short order it would be approved (due to the much lower opposition). Approval of OTC Pill would lead to greater marketing of the product and thusly greater awareness and availability. Likewise, once the Pill has been approved for over the counter sales, the opposition to Plan B would be that much less, as one could point out that over the counter sales of the Pill did not lead to the downfall of western civilization as one might have thought. By making Plan B the priority you simply exacerbate an already contentious debate and prevent any real progress in women’s health from happening.
Again, of course, these are simply my own humble opinions and I thank you for considering them.
