CWA Leader Lauds FDA's Handling of Plan B Drug Review Process
by Mary Rettig
November 22, 2005
(AgapePress) - - The results of an investigation by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) into how the Food and Drug Administration has dealt with the so-called "emergency" contraceptive drug known as Plan B has caused liberal U.S. senators some concern. However, a spokesperson for Concerned Women for America (CWA) says her group is pleased with the FDA's handling of the drug sometimes referred to as the "morning-after pill." CWA executive vice president Wendy Wright says the GAO recently released a report after Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Patty Murray (D-WA) demanded an investigation into why the FDA had not approved Plan B for over-the-counter sales. Wright says the report found that leadership within the federal agency intervened in the decision and stopped the drug from being approved for non-prescription use.
"We say that was rightfully so," the CWA spokeswoman asserts, "because there has been a problem within the FDA of it approving controversial drugs such as RU-486. There are too many people within the FDA who have the mindset that death is preferable to pregnancy."
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Wendy Wright |
Emergency contraceptive drugs such as Plan B contain high doses of hormones that can prevent pregnancy from occurring after unprotected sex, often by inhibiting ovulation or fertilization or possibly, in some cases, by preventing implantation of an embryo after fertilization has occurred. While the use of Plan B itself may not carry grave health risks, Wright believes easy accessibility of the drug without a prescription could encourage a false sense of security that could prove dangerous, if not lethal. With the morning-after pill, the pro-family leader notes, "There doesn't seem to be risk of it causing death; however, making it easily available can lead to life-threatening complications, such as by encouraging risky sexual behavior. There'll be an increase in sexually transmitted diseases -- and STDs can lead to serious health problems, including death."
It is appropriate for the FDA leadership to intervene in the review process for a drug like Plan B, Wright contends, especially when the lower levels of employees were not taking the possible public health risks of approval seriously.
Mary Rettig, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
