A little over a year ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved non-prescription sale of emergency contraception (EC, brand name Plan B) for women aged 18 and older, following a controversial delay of more than seven years.
Easing access to emergency contraception was a major victory for millions of women, but the FDA's politically-influenced process, and the unjustifiable limitation that women 17 and under will continue to need a prescription for EC, leaves unsettling questions about inattention, deception and delay on women's vital health care needs.
The FDA's approval came after the agency was heavily pressured by advocates, and Senators Patty Murray (D-Wash.) and Hillary ...