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Bloomberg Thinks Plan B Should Be Available To Everyone
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 12, 2011
Modified Dec 12, 2011
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NYC Mayor's Office
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 12, 2011
Modified Dec 12, 2011
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Before he met up with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, Mayor Bloomberg made it clear he did not agree with her decision to overrule the FDA and keep emergency contraceptive Plan B restricted to those over 17 years of age. He told reporters today, "It would be much better if these young girls didn’t get pregnant, but once that happens I think this should be available."
Plan B's maker, Teva, wanted to shed the requirement that those under 17 needed a prescription to buy it. In explaining her decision last week, Sebelius said, "The switch from prescription to over the counter for this product requires that we have enough evidence to show that those who use this medicine can understand the label and use the product appropriately. I do not believe that Teva’s application met that standard. The label comprehension and actual use studies did not contain data for all ages for which this product would be available for use."
President Obama insisted he had nothing to do with Sebelius's move, but did say, "The reason Kathleen made this decision is that she could not be confident that a 10-year-old or an 11-year-old going to a drugstore should be able — alongside bubble gum or batteries — be able to buy a medication that potentially, if not used properly, could have an adverse effect... I will say this, as the father of two daughters. I think it is important for us to make sure that we apply some common sense to various rules when it comes to over-the-counter medicine... I think most parents would probably feel the same way."
Bloomberg, who is pro-choice and wants the Supreme Court to uphold Roe v. Wade said that the FDA's decision should have been followed but also acknowledged, "The bottom line is, we have many too many out-of-wedlock births in this country. And, yes, the people who say young girls shouldn’t get pregnant, they’re 100 percent right. And we do in this city a lot to try to teach people and inform them of the consequences of being parents." Well, the city is definitely trying.
Tagged
emergency contraceptive
kathleen sebelius
mayor bloomberg
Plan B
president obama
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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