Ethics Newsline®

Special to Ethics Newsline™ from Adrian Allen

WASHINGTON
Last week’s announcement by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it would take steps to make emergency contraception available without a prescription did little to sway senators who have prevented the confirmation of the agency’s commissioner.

The surprise announcement by FDA acting commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach prompted criticism that he was furthering the politicization of the agency, reported the Washington Post.

The emergency contraceptive pill, called Plan B and produced by Barr Pharmaceuticals, is currently available to women by prescription only.

In 2003, an outside panel of experts commissioned by the FDA recommended that Plan B be made available without a prescription to women of any age, the Tribune reported.

That recommendation was blocked by Bush administration officials due to opposition from conservative and anti-abortion groups, reported the New York Times. Religious conservatives oppose the sale of Plan B without a prescription, fearing that it could promote promiscuity and encourage the sexual exploitation of girls, reported the Chicago Tribune.

Critics have blasted the FDA both for the slow pace of the decision on Plan B and for allegedly caving into political pressure during the approval process for other drugs. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), told the Post that “there is a crisis of confidence at FDA,” and claimed that there is a perception that the Bush administration is imposing ideology over evidence.

Now, with von Eschenbach waiting to be confirmed as FDA head, the agency has proposed making Plan B available to women over the age of 18 without a prescription, according to reports from the Washington Post and the Reuters news agency.

The Senate will not vote on Eschenbach’s confirmation until at least September, noted the Washington Post. The debate over his nomination may be irrelevant if President Bush uses a recess appointment to give him the job this month.