STATEMENT OF CONGRESSWOMAN NITA M. LOWEY REGARDING THE FDA'S APPROVAL OF OVER-THE-COUNTER SALE OF PLAN B
WASHINGTON, DC - Congresswoman Nita M. Lowey, a member of the House Health Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement today applauding the decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve over-the-counter status for Plan B emergency contraception for women 18 and older.
"I am pleased that after so many years of delay, the FDA has finally ruled in the best interest of women's health. It is unfortunate this decision, which will help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions, became so politicized and was thwarted by scientifically baseless claims for too long.
"With one of the western world's highest rates of teen pregnancy in the United States, I hope the FDA will continue to evaluate the safety of this drug for over-the-counter use by all women of childbearing age. We must now work to educate the public about the availability of emergency contraception over-the-counter and ensure it is available to all American women who may need it."
http://www.house.gov/list/press/ny18_lowey/planb82406.html