Morning After Pill Remains a Political Football

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The FDA’s scientists have (once again) concluded that Plan B, the “morning after” pill, is safe for unrestricted sale over the counter. Unfortunately, the Obama administration has apparently decided that it would be politically unwise to allow this with an election coming up:

“I agree … there is adequate and reasonable, well-supported, and science-based evidence that Plan B One-Step is safe and effective and should be approved for nonprescription use for all females of child-bearing potential,” [FDA Administrator Margaret Hamburg ] said.

“However, this morning I received a memorandum from the Secretary of Health and Human Services invoking her authority under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to execute its provisions and stating that she does not agree with the Agency’s decision to allow the marketing of Plan B One-Step nonprescription for all females of child-bearing potential,” she said.

This is the first time an HHS secretary has ever overruled the FDA, and it’s a blow to those of us who believe that Democratic administrations are more willing to be guided by scientific evidence than Republican ones. I guess somebody somewhere decided that independent voters might not approve of this, so now it’s back to the salt mines.

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BEFORE YOU CLICK AWAY!

“Lying.” “Disgusting.” “Scum.” “Slime.” “Corrupt.” “Enemy of the people.” Donald Trump has always made clear what he thinks of journalists. And it’s plain now that his administration intends to do everything it can to stop journalists from reporting things they don’t like—which is most things that are true.

No one gets to tell Mother Jones what to publish or not publish, because no one owns our fiercely independent newsroom. But that also means we need to directly raise the resources it takes to keep our journalism alive. There’s only one way for that to happen, and it’s readers like you stepping up. Please help with a donation today if you can—even a few bucks will make a real difference. A monthly gift would be incredible.

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