title: Emergency Contraception for Adolescents: A Political Battle.
abstract: The political debate for adolescents to have access to emergency contraception that is available over the counter has been going on for years. Since 1999, Levonorgestrel, Plan B One Step®, has been used in the United States as an emergency contraception but with a prescription at the time. The FDA has done years of research and testing with Barr Laboratories, the manufacture of Plan B One Step®, to make it safe for females of all ages. In 2003, the FDA recommended the over the counter use of Plan B One Step® for all ages, yet this did not occur. In pharmacies across our nation young women find it impossible to purchase this product whether they be of age or not. Politics is making the choices for our young females, not medical evidence. How long are we going to let this continue?
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D044363:Contraception, Postcoital / Q000592:standards*; D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D016912:Levonorgestrel / Q000592:standards; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000592:standards*; D010594:Pharmacies / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011057:Politics; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D003271:Contraceptive Agents, Female; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D016912:Levonorgestrel
keywords: Advisory Committees for Reproductive Health drugs and Nonprescription drugs; Barr Laboratories; Emergency contraception; Levonorgestrel; Morning after pill; Plan B(®)