Pill that prevents pregnancy gets boost

Associated Press

CHICAGO — The American Medical Association is wading into the morally fraught debate over whether the "morning-after" pill should be made available over the counter.

While the Vatican recently condemned the emergency contraceptive and the nation’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart, decided last year not to sell it, the AMA’s Council on Medical Service is recommending that it be made easier to obtain.

The council’s report is scheduled to be debated by a committee Sunday at an AMA meeting in Orlando, Fla. The committee could then send it to the AMA’s policymaking House of Delegates during the four-day meeting.

Taken within three days of sexual intercourse, the contraceptives are essentially high-dose birth control pills that prevent ovulation or, if that has already occurred, block implantation of a fertilized egg. In most cases, they are available only by prescription.

The AMA council said that some women might not be able to get the pills in time to prevent a pregnancy, so the AMA "should request that the Food and Drug Administration consider making emergency contraception pills available over the counter."

The pills are "considered safe and effective by the medical community as a whole," the council said.

There are two morning-after pills on the market: Preven and Plan B. They were approved for U.S. use within the past two years.

Planned Parenthood President Gloria Feldt said AMA support for over-the-counter use would be "an extremely important step for prevention of unintended pregnancy in a country where half of all pregnancies are unintended."

Feldt noted that Washington state recently began allowing pharmacists to provide the pills without a prescription, but with counseling. Some Planned Parenthood clinics provide the pills to women beforehand, with counseling, in case they need them at some point, Feldt said.

"If every woman of reproductive age had ready access to it, it could prevent 800,000 abortions a year," Feldt said Thursday.

Though morning-after pills are not as widely opposed as the RU-486 prescription abortion pill approved by the FDA in September, foes consider them a form of abortion since an egg could have been fertilized by the time a woman takes them.

Planned Parenthood does not consider the method abortion since it does not work if a fertilized egg has already implanted itself in the uterus, the scientific definition of pregnancy, Feldt said.

The National Right to Life Committee issued a statement saying it opposes destroying a fertilized egg but has no position on methods to prevent fertilization.

Copyright ©2000 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

More in Local News

FILE - A sign hangs at a Taco Bell on May 23, 2014, in Mount Lebanon, Pa. Declaring a mission to liberate "Taco Tuesday" for all, Taco Bell asked U.S. regulators Tuesday, May 16, 2023, to force Wyoming-based Taco John's to abandon its longstanding claim to the trademark. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Hepatitis A confirmed in Taco Bell worker in Everett, Lake Stevens

The health department sent out a public alert for diners at two Taco Bells on May 22 or 23.

VOLLI’s Director of Food & Beverage Kevin Aiello outside of the business on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coming soon to Marysville: indoor pickleball, games, drinks

“We’re very confident this will be not just a hit, but a smash hit,” says co-owner Allan Jones, who is in the fun industry.

Everett
Detectives: Unresponsive baby was exposed to fentanyl at Everett hotel

An 11-month-old boy lost consciousness Tuesday afternoon. Later, the infant and a twin sibling both tested positive for fentanyl.

Cassie Franklin (left) and Nick Harper (right)
Report: No wrongdoing in Everett mayor’s romance with deputy mayor

An attorney hired by the city found no misuse of public funds. Texts between the two last year, however, were not saved on their personal phones.

Firearm discovered by TSA officers at Paine Field Thursday morning, May 11, 2023, during routine X-ray screening at the security checkpoint. (Transportation Security Administration)
3 guns caught by TSA at Paine Field this month — all loaded

Simple travel advice: Unpack before you pack to make sure there’s not a gun in your carry-on.

Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
To beat the rush this Memorial Day weekend, go early or late

AAA projects busy airports, ferries and roads over the holiday weekend this year, though still below pre-pandemic counts.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Troopers: DUI crash leaves 1 in critical condition in Maltby

A drunken driver, 34, was arrested after her pickup rear-ended another truck late Tuesday, injuring a Snohomish man, 28.

Housing Hope CEO Donna Moulton raises her hand in celebration of the groundbreaking of the Housing Hope Madrona Highlands on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
$30M affordable housing project to start construction soon in Edmonds

Once built, dozens of families who are either homeless or in poverty will move in and receive social and work services.

Ashley Morrison, left, and her mother Cindi Morrison. (Photo provided by Cindi Morrison)
Everett’s ‘Oldest Young Cat Lady’ legacy continues after death

On social media, Ashley Morrison, 31, formed a worldwide community to talk about cats and mental health. Her mom wants to keep it going.

Most Read