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O.k. I understand the desire to ensure that safe effective methods of birth control are readily available to young women across the socioeconomic spectrum, but is Plan B the best way to go about doing it?
As far as I am aware (and perhaps I am mistaken) no pharmaceutical methods of birth control are currently available over the counter.
Should our haranguing of the FDA’s “foot dragging” really be directed at this issue, and not at say, making the classic Pill, which has been shown to be safe and effective for some 30 years (or is it 40?) available without a prescription.
It just strikes me that there is real concern over making Plan B available over the counter, not in the creation of Teen Sex Cults, but in abuse of a drug that is not meant for everyday use being used as such.
As an example, some people enjoy sex, this is a positive thing, and likewise many people wish to avoid pregnancy. If an emergency “after the fact” method of birth control is made available over the counter while a proactive daily method of birth control still requires a prescription, there is little doubt which method will become the standard of self medication. What will then be the effect of a young woman taking Plan B every month, every week, or in some cases everyday? I do not think studies have been done chronicling such an out come, but I think it’s a fairly obvious outcome to suppose.
In my opinion, those interested in reproductive freedom would do themselves a sight better to focus their attention on getting safe proven birth control methods to as many people as possible, and worry about unsupervised access to emergency contraceptives after the first battle has been won.
I thank for your consideration of my humble opinions.
