NOW Foundation Releases New Report on Emergency Contraception

August 24, 2007

By Meaghan Lamarre, Internet Communications Coordinator

Today we mark the one year anniversary of the Food and Drug Administration's decision to allow over-the-counter sale of emergency contraception (EC) to women ages 18 and over with the release of a report entitled: "Limited Success: One Year of Access to Emergency Contraception" (PDF).

The FDA's decision came after years of pressure from advocates and our allies in Congress, particularly Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Patty Murray (D-Wash.). Broader access to this safe and effective method of contraception had been repeatedly blocked by Bush Administration appointees who were determined to put their allegiance to conservative birth control opponents ahead of women's health.

"Opponents frequently mischaracterize this safe and effective medication, which is very effective in preventing pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after unprotected or forced sex or condom failure. For women in this situation, preventing pregnancy is indeed an emergency. And it's definitely contraception — since taking EC after a pregnancy has started will have no effect whatsoever. It's two simple words: what part of emergency contraception don't they understand," asked NOW President Kim Gandy.

Although allowing the sale of EC to some women without a prescription is a step in the right direction, some women are still denied this means of preventing countless unplanned pregnancies. Limiting non-prescription access to women over 18 is an arbitrary restriction, based largely on a fear of encouraging promiscuity in young women (which, according to research studies, is an unfounded fear) rather than a genuine health or safety concern. Furthermore, even women over 18 are having difficulty acquiring EC because it is available only behind the counter and they must contend with moralizing lectures from pharmacists or even outright refusal to dispense the medication.