Say, for whatever reason, a contraceptive failed. Then what?
Time for Plan B.
The Plan B pill, also known as the morning-after pill, is an increased dosage of birth control, which will reduce the chance of pregnancy by as much as 89 percent if taken within 72 hours of intercourse.
In 1999 The Food and Drug Administration approved prescription use of the drug. Here on campus, Olin Health Center provides the pill along with counseling.
Despite its safety, the FDA has announced it will indefinitely postpone it's decision to sell it over the counter. Although accused of postponing the decision for issues concerning abortion, the FDA said it's reasoning was to prevent the accessibility of the pill to women under 17 years of age.
If Plan B were more accessible, people might abuse the drug and use it as another form of contraceptive - even though Plan B was not approved for long-term use. The harm the pill does to a person's body after continual use might cause it to be removed from the shelf anyway.
The increased accessibility might also encourage younger girls to engage in sexual intercourse. Girls wouldn't need to inform their parents of a potential problem if they could buy an emergency contraceptive every time they have unsafe sex.
The same might be true even now - girls don't always tell their parents of a potential problem until it's too late to opt for a Plan B pill.
By-appointment prescriptions provide patients the opportunity for counseling and related information on the emergency contraceptive. Plan B has side effects that include nausea, abdominal pain and menstrual cycle changes. Appointments also allow doctors to keep records on the amount of pills given to a patient.
The possibility of unsafe sex and even nonconsensual sex can occur, especially on a college campus. It's important students have access to the pill, but they shouldn't continually rely on it to prevent pregnancy. On the shelf, Plan B might be treated like candy.
The postponement is necessary in order to create a policy preventing anyone under 17 from receiving the pill, but it shouldn't be forgotten. Although it would allow easier access to potential abusers of the drug, it would also provide an option for women in an emergency situation.
