WASHINGTON, Oct 11 (Reuters) – A bipartisan group of 62 U.S. lawmakers have called on the new acting head of the Food and Drug Administration to allow sales of Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc’s “morning-after” pill without a prescription, according to a letter made public on Tuesday.

In a letter to Acting FDA Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, the members of Congress stopped short of accusing the agency of earlier postponing a ruling because of politics, but chided officials for ignoring evidence.

“We believe this new delay does not truly reflect valid scientific or regulatory concerns,” they wrote in a letter dated Oct. 7.

Barr has pursued over-the-counter sales of its emergency contraceptive drug, called Plan B, for more than two years.

U.S. lawmakers call for morning-after pill approval

Think about that. Thats 62 members of congress out of 535. I’m seriously underwhelmed.

And they :::cough cough::: “stopped short of accusing the agency of postponing a ruling because of politics”

Afraid to to take a stand? May i ask why? Lets be clear on one thing here. The agency is postponing the ruling because of fundalismo politics.

WHO HERE AT BOOMAN TRIBUNE IS AFRAID TO STAND UP AND SAY THAT THIS IS ABOUT POLITICS?

are you? I’m not. I’m not afraid.

the FDA is restricting access to EC because the fruitcake fundies who pull the strings in Washington these days don’t want women to have the power to make love without a consequence.

Religious conservatives and other opponents argue easier access to emergency contraceptive will result in increased promiscuity and sexually transmitted diseases. Supporters, including most doctors and women’s rights groups, say it will prevent unwanted pregnancies and abortions.

And on the seventh day god rested and he said “let there be no morning after”.

Thats the real story. Straight from god who talks to George W Bush, Pat Robertson, Dobson and all the others.

As Marisacat would say, “Laffable, really.”

Two members of The Food and Drug Administration have quit recently due to this illogical repression of emergency contraception for women.

Dr. Frank Davidoff first considered resigning in May 2004, when the FDA declined Plan B’s application, reports the Hartford Courant, but told the Associated Press that the most recent delay, on August 26, “crossed a line for me.” In his letter of resignation, Reuters reports that Davidoff wrote, “I can no longer associate myself with an organization that is capable of making such an important decision so flagrantly on the basis of political influence, rather than the scientific and clinical evidence.”

Second FDA Official Resigned Over Plan B Delays

Susan Wood, PhD, the top woman at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), announced her resignation today because of the continued FDA delay on over-the-counter status for emergency contraception (EC). In a letter announcing her resignation, Wood, who was the Assistant Commissioner for Women’s Health and Director of the FDA Office of Women’s Health, wrote, “The recent decision announced by the Commissioner about emergency contraception, which continues to limit women’s access to a product that would reduce unintended pregnancies and reduce abortions is contrary to my core commitment to improving and advancing women’s health.”

Top Woman at FDA Resigns over EC Delay

Well I’m pleased to note two of our bureaucrats know how to stand up and be counted. Kudos to them.

I want to share a story with you that was posted last here last week. A story that illustrates how Emergency Contraception is now being (mis)handled where it should matter the most, in crisis care. Please follow the link at the bottom of the blockquote for the remainder of the story.

I live in a Blue northeastern state and was raped at knifepoint by a serial rapist who broke into my house around 3 a.m.

A police lieutenant drove me to an ER that night. I was swabbed, plucked, and turned back to the police to give a statement. At the ER, I was told to see my primary care physician for follow-up care, including tests for sexually transmitted diseases. No mention was made of options existing that would let me avoid conception. I didn’t ask – I was in a daze at that point.

A sexual assault counseling volunteer showed up at the ER and handed me a packet of brochures about services I could get — none included anything about advice on avoiding pregnancy if I wanted to.

Only anecdotal evidence, but…

You know, my opinion is that such ill-treatment should be grounds for malpractice. In a just country it would be. I wonder why more of our elected representatives can’t speak out on what is essentially basic human rights when a woman who was raped can. I ask you, who has more to lose?

Well maybe thats not the right question. After all, we’re the ones who have more to lose…

This one’s for kate from Our Word. Thank you for speaking out. Your post truly moved all of us.

“Injustice wears ever the same harsh face wherever it shows itself.” – Ralph Ellison

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