Press Room

Contact: State Director Peggy Hamill or Director of Legislative Affairs Matt Sande
(262) 796-1111, (414) 416-0489 or info@prolifewisconsin.org


PLW Urges FDA to Stand Strong and Reject
Over-the-Counter Sale of Morning-After Pill

Facing intense political pressure to permit over-the-counter distribution of the morning-after pill, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is reviewing a new application by Barr Laboratories requesting the drug to be made available to anyone over 16, but requiring a prescription for under 16-year olds. Last year, the FDA refused to grant over-the-counter status due to incomplete data on the impact of easy access to the morning-after pill on adolescent children. The deadline for the FDA’s decision is January 22, 2005.

“Regardless of the age of the user or the means of dispensing, the morning-after pill is an outright health hazard,” said Peggy Hamill, state director of Pro-Life Wisconsin. “Not only does it facilitate promiscuity and increased risk for sexually transmitted diseases, it also causes early chemical abortion by preventing a tiny embryonic child from implanting in his or her mother’s womb should fertilization occur. The FDA should rescind approval of this dangerous, abortion-causing drug regimen altogether.”

Pro-Life Wisconsin is asking its supporters statewide to contact the FDA Commissioner’s Office and urge Commissioner Lester M. Crawford to wholly reject any move to permit over-the-counter sale of the morning-after pill. The group contends that there would be no way to enforce Barr’s marketing scheme, as family planning groups in Wisconsin and around the nation are aggressively conducting “emergency contraception campaigns” encouraging widespread distribution and use of the morning-after pill across all ages. Pro-Life Wisconsin has also voiced strong concern over the health risks the morning-after pill poses for women.

“We know the morning-after pill can harm women,” said Hamill. “Some of the health side effects include nausea, ectopic pregnancy, and blood clot formation. It offers no protection against STDs, including AIDS. Importantly, there are no long-term studies to show whether women will be permanently damaged, or risk such diseases as cancer, from these chemicals being given in such high doses. In the interest of public health and human dignity, PLW urges all Wisconsinites to call FDA Commissioner Crawford and urge him not to reverse the 2004 decision rejecting over-the-counter access to the morning-after pill. You may contact Mr. Crawford at (301) 827-2410 or commissioner@FDA.gov.”

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