General Debate Forum - Over The Counter Emergency Contraception. Your Thoughts?

Debate Forums > General Debate Forum > Over The Counter Emergency Contraception. Your Thoughts?

TOPICS DOCTOR QUESTIONS

Should emergency contraception be sold over the counter or by prescription only?

Over the Counter
Prescription Only

92% [ 13 ]

7% [ 1 ]

Total Votes : 14

Q: Over The Counter Emergency Contraception. Your Thoughts?

asked by: OTC_ECP on November 17th, 2008

New User

Hello All. This post is simply to raise awareness, support, and promote conversation about the 2006 FDA approval of the selling of over the counter emergency contraception.

All replies, thoughts and discussion is welcome.

According to the FDA, it is legal to sell Emergency contraceptive pills (ECP) over the counter to women over 18 years of age through a pharmacy. ECP works in one of the following ways: 1) by preventing the release of the egg from the ovary, 2) by preventing the fertilization of the egg or 3) by preventing of implantation of the egg in the uterus. Therefore, ECP is NOT abortion in that it will not terminate a pregnancy in which a fertilized egg has implanted in the uterus. In fact, no studies have proven that ECP even have teratogenic effects if accidentally taken during a pregnancy.

Selling ECP over the counter is extremely beneficial in that a woman can get it in case of an emergency. If it is by prescription only, the woman may be restricted due to time constraints, shame and embarrassment, monetary issues, or closed doctor’s offices. With ECP being sold over the counter it is more effective because it can be taken on time. ECP is most effective when taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse.

Its availability allows women to use their own discretion as to when they need to take an emergency form of birth control. Since there are no serious adverse effects, even from overdose of ECP, thus it is safe to take. The only side effects of the drug are nausea, vomiting, breast tenderness, and dizziness which are all similar side effects to even low-dose hormone birth control. As it is only sold in a single dose package, it is nearly impossible to over dose however side effects of overdose only include vomiting.

No studies have shown that ECP being sold over the counter has diminished the use of other methods of birth control. Also, studies have also not shown any relation between ECP availability and promiscuous/risk taking behaviors or an increase in sexually transmitted infections. As a matter of fact ECP over the counter has lowered the rate of abortion and risks associated with abortion.

Being that emergency contraception pills are safe, not harmful to a woman or her potential fetus, is cost effective, and can be regulated, it is no wonder the FDA approved its sale over the counter.

Please, reply with your input on the situation and the FDA’s approval.
Do you support/not support it? Why/why not? Should there be stricter rules? Is it being regulated correctly? Etc. ALL comments welcome.

Replies(13)

anniek

replied on November 18th, 2008

Experienced User

I work in a pharmacy and have found that many women don't get it over the counter. The majority that we see want it sent through insurence. Also just for peoples knowledge, the women must be the one to come and get it if buying it over the counter. It can not be sold to a man! I believe the laws for it now are wonderful! It gives the women a chance to get it with out going to the dr yet if they want it under ins. they can get the prescription. Alot of women can not afford it without the ins. it is a more expensive thing buying it out right. What I have seen the laws are very effective and very nice for the woman.

I'm glad you included all the information about the pill. Not alot of people know that it does not harm a fertilized egg it prevents the egg from being fertilized.

Maddie34

replied on November 18th, 2008

Moderator

I do have a problem with how you need to be 18.

I've lost count with how many teens I've suggested Plan B to, but they ran out of time since they had to wait to schedule appointments or whatever else they apparently have to do. A lot of teens I've talked to eventually just scrap the Plan B idea and wait it out-- not good! Plan B, as far as I know, is safe for women of all ages so I don't understand the age restriction. I hardly think pregnancy is a safer alternative for a teen. Plan b doesn't really give you any lasting side effects other than maybe a weird period for a few months and I'm pretty sure a teen can handle that just fine.

I support the use of Plan B, I think its a fantastic last minute chance at preventing pregnancy after the primary method of birth control fails. But I don't really see the reason for the restrictions.

OTC_ECP

replied on November 21st, 2008

New User

Anniek – in response to your post, Plan B is actually approved to allow OTC availability to all consumers aged 18 and over, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Questions and Answers page (http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/pla nB/planBQandA20060824.htm). This was an updated question, not originally included in the initial release statement by the FDA. People over the age of 18, men or women, simply need to show identification.

Maddie34 – There was much debate on the age requirements for this policy. The original proposal called for an age restriction of under 16 to require a prescription. Barr, Inc Pharmaceuticals requested of the FDA that the age limit be switched to 18 and older, while prescriptions are required for under age 18. The director for the Center for Drug Research and Evaluation (CDER) found this age limitation not necessary to protect the public health; however, the CDER recognized that Barr, Inc. had not established how Plan B could be used safely and effectively by "young adolescents – girls 16 and younger" without professional supervision of a licensed practitioner. Here is the link to the memorandum: http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/plan B/avememo.pdf

How do you think Barr Inc. or any researcher could establish how Plan B could be used safely and effectively by adolescents without the supervision of a professional licensed practitioner? I agree with you that it is a shame that the age requirement is so high, especially since a large population using Plan B is under the age of 18. Just want to get some input and ideas. Thank you

Maddie34

replied on November 21st, 2008

Moderator

Education.

I think abstinence only education should just be stopped and teens should be educated on most, if not all, forms of birth control. Teaching them about the more effective birth controls should come first, then encouraging teens to double up forms of birth control, and then Plan B for emergencies. Abstinence should be encouraged, but it’s silly to expect it to be practiced by all teens. And because a lot parents either don't inform their children about it at all or they are simply oozing with misinformation, it’s important that these teens are educated in a place where it can be monitored (and by monitored I mean, there is a set curriculum so teens are educated with accurate information, and plenty of it) -- like school.

I know there are resources for teens that are sexually active, but many aren't aware of them. Included in sex education should be a list of resources for teens who are sexually active. How many teens actually know about nursing hotlines that can be called 24/7 for questions and support? Not many, and I’m sure they would be utilized more if they were encouraged. Maybe even starting some new online resources where teens can go for accurate information and real time support since the internet is the first place people go for questions now.

Better and safer decisions come with better education.

What about you? How do you think things should be done?

Users who thank Maddie34 for this post: homerx

aochriss

replied on December 13th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

Plan B is just as safe for people under 18 as it is for those over 18. The reason it is not available to teens is because some nuts claim it will encourage teen promiscuity, even though there is no sound scientific basis for that claim. In fact, evidence was presented proving just the opposite, that the availability of Plan B to minors did NOT cause promiscuity.

aochriss

replied on December 13th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

anniek wrote:

This is absolutely false. This is directly from the FDA:

Quote:

7b. Can men purchase Plan B?

Yes. Plan B OTC is approved to allow OTC availability of Plan B for consumers 18 years and older.

http :// www. fda.gov/CDER/drug/infopage/planB/planBQand A20060824.htm

GreyWolf

replied on December 21st, 2008

Experienced User

It should be available to people under 18 too.
The age of consent is 16, therefore it makes no sense that they can have sex but cannot go into a shop to buy something that will prevent an unwanted pregnancy!

Also in a world where so many people frown upon abortion, it would help reduce the number of women asking for abortions because the emergency pill needs to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Waiting for a doctor's appointment and then waiting to collect a prescription all take up valuable time and cause unneccessary delay and distress.

diamondsz

replied on December 27th, 2008

Extremely eHealthy

I am for plan B 100%!!

I took plan B a few months ago, my problem was that the pharmacist technician, misinformed me. She said that it would blow the pregnancy away and made it to sound wrong, when I knew it was a higer dose of BC.

I am also for education and having th plan B made available everywhere, especially in Canada, instead of a prescription.

aochriss

replied on January 6th, 2009

Extremely eHealthy

diamondsz wrote:

What were her exact words? I am interested in hearing about the ignorance of the technician in full detail.

motherofhighspiritedones

replied on January 7th, 2009

Moderator

Lol, never had an encounter with plan B per se but a girlfriend of mine had gone up to the counter to get her prescription of it filled and the pharmicist made a really snarky remark about how it would literally dissolve the embryonic tissue, burning the "little baby embryo" from the inside out. Talk about misinformation! Luckily, my girlfriend's doctor had already explained what plan B does, so she just laughed at the pharmacist and said, "Hurry up and fill my prescription, it's got a time limit on it you know. Wouldn't want an abortion hanging over your head would you?" It's wrong, I know, but still funny. And in a way, the pharmacist deserved it.

diamondsz

replied on January 8th, 2009

Extremely eHealthy

aochriss wrote:

diamondsz wrote:

What were her exact words? I am interested in hearing about the ignorance of the technician in full detail.

She told me it would blow the pregnancy and anything that was in there away...

aochriss

replied on January 9th, 2009

Extremely eHealthy

It is scary how ignorant some pharmacists are. Aren't they supposed to be educated about this stuff???

motherofhighspiritedones

replied on January 10th, 2009

Moderator

They are educated in this stuff. I think that they just think the majority of women who come seeking the pill are UNEDUCATED. And because abortion is considered immoral, wrong, etc to some of these pharmacists, they will lie to the woman or man seeking the pill in an attempt to convince them out of taking it. Sad thing is I know doctors cannot refuse to treat you because of your sex, religion, personal preference, etc, so how come a pharmacist can deny a woman birth control, Plan B just because said pharmacist does not agree with it?

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