task0778
Diamond Member
With the Supreme Court’s recent abortion decision, unplanned pregnancies are top-of-mind for many Americans. So, whatever one believes about abortion, the timing of a new debate on birth control policy within the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) couldn’t be more important.
The FDA just received a request from a contraceptive company seeking authorization to sell its birth control pills over-the-counter—without a prescription, as is required nationwide under current laws. This has prompted renewed calls for the FDA to approve this change. And, according to the New York Times, it’s seriously considering it this time.
Why? Well, the downsides of government mandates requiring a prescription are significant.
For one thing, it makes birth control harder to access for people without health insurance or the time/resources to obtain professional medical care. It also adds significantly to the cost of birth control by introducing middlemen and additional steps.
The current restrictive regime is defended in the name of safety. After all, hormonal birth control pills can have serious side effects and some women shouldn’t take it if they have certain medical factors that conflict with the medication.
Still, while the medication is indeed serious, it should still be made available over-the-counter. Right now, the government is needlessly standing in the way between the medical community and countless women who could benefit from care but can’t necessarily obtain a prescription.
fee.org
Maybe the best solution to abortions is to preclude pregnancies in the 1st place. Maybe it won't totally solve the problem, but it sure could mitigate it somewhat.
The FDA just received a request from a contraceptive company seeking authorization to sell its birth control pills over-the-counter—without a prescription, as is required nationwide under current laws. This has prompted renewed calls for the FDA to approve this change. And, according to the New York Times, it’s seriously considering it this time.
Why? Well, the downsides of government mandates requiring a prescription are significant.
For one thing, it makes birth control harder to access for people without health insurance or the time/resources to obtain professional medical care. It also adds significantly to the cost of birth control by introducing middlemen and additional steps.
The current restrictive regime is defended in the name of safety. After all, hormonal birth control pills can have serious side effects and some women shouldn’t take it if they have certain medical factors that conflict with the medication.
Still, while the medication is indeed serious, it should still be made available over-the-counter. Right now, the government is needlessly standing in the way between the medical community and countless women who could benefit from care but can’t necessarily obtain a prescription.
The FDA Is Considering a Change That Would Have Huge Implications for Birth Control
"This is an easy call from a public health perspective," the American Medical Association said.
fee.org
Maybe the best solution to abortions is to preclude pregnancies in the 1st place. Maybe it won't totally solve the problem, but it sure could mitigate it somewhat.
