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  Plan B, the FDA, and 'sex-based cults'
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ContributorArmyDem 
Last EditedArmyDem  Apr 26, 2006 11:50am
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News DateWednesday, April 26, 2006 05:00:00 PM UTC0:0
DescriptionPosted 10:00 am | Printer Friendly

Nearly two years ago, an FDA advisory panel voted 23 to 4 to approve over-the-counter access to Plan B emergency contraception. One FDA panel member called it the "safest drug that we have seen brought before us." The scientific evidence was overwhelming and access to Plan B would curtail abortion and unwanted pregnancies. This was a no-brainer — right up until the administration blocked the medication anyway, under pressure from its far-right base.

Ever since, the Bush gang has struggled to come up with a coherent explanation for the decision. Initially, then-Commissioner Lester Crawford cited FDA concerns about selling the drug to younger teens as a reason to keep Plan B off shelves. Then we learned Crawford was lying and the FDA had no such concerns. Some administration allies then insisted that Plan B may not be safe, but medical experts here and around the world say otherwise.

Digby noted yesterday the most outlandish explanation of all.

In the memo released by the FDA, Dr. Curtis Rosebraugh, an agency medical officer, wrote: "As an example, [Dr. Janet Woodcock, deputy operations commissioner for the FDA] stated that we could not anticipate, or prevent extreme promiscuous behaviors such as the medication taking on an 'urban legend' status that would lead adolescents to form sex-based cults centered around the use of Plan B." (emphasis added)

Rosebraugh indicated he found no reason to bar nonprescription sales of Plan B.

"This was the level of scientific discourse," Heller said in an interview, referring to concerns attributed to Woodcock. "I find it very odd that these people who are supposed to be responsible scientists and doctors are making up wacky reasons."
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