ACOG to HHS: Reconsider age limit on plan B access

ACOG to HHS: reconsider age limit on plan B access
Physicians from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, together with other health organizations, are urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to reconsider the age limit for access to Plan B One-Step emergency contraception.

(HealthDay)—Physicians from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), together with other health organizations, are urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reconsider the age limit for access to Plan B One-Step emergency contraception.

Noting that medical organizations aim to reduce the rates of unintended pregnancy and number of abortions in the United States, and that is safe for all women, physicians from ACOG, along with the American Medical Association and nine other health organizations, have written to request that the HHS reconsider their decision regarding an age limit for over-the-counter access to Plan B One-Step.

According to the letter, extensive scientific research supports the U.S. 's decision to lift the age restriction for emergency contraception so that all women can have access in cases of unprotected sex, sexual assault, or contraceptive failure. Medical authorities agree that Plan B One-Step is safe for anyone at risk of unintended pregnancy, and that requiring a prescription serves as an unnecessary barrier to access, especially given the time-sensitive nature of emergency contraception. Plan B is safe for teenagers and no evidence exists to indicate that access to Plan B encourages among adolescents.

"The science shows conclusively that Plan B is safe for all women and should be available over-the-counter to all women," the authors write. "Accordingly, we urge you to remove the for over-the counter access for Plan B One-Step."

More information: Letter

Copyright © 2012 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Citation: ACOG to HHS: Reconsider age limit on plan B access (2012, December 12) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2012-12-acog-hhs-reconsider-age-limit.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

A new type of pill for emergency contraception

 shares

Feedback to editors