PLAN B APPROVAL A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
FDA decision leaves emergency contraception out of reach for adolescents

Washington, DC---The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), representing 60,000 pediatricians, supports as an important first step the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) approval of Plan B, a contraceptive drug often referred to as "emergency contraception," as an over-the-counter (OTC) option for women aged 18 and older. Today's decision, however, only goes half way. Emergency contraception will remain out of reach for sexually active teens 17 and younger because they will still be required to obtain a prescription for the medication.

"Providing Plan B over-the-counter for adults is an important step forward in preventing the number of unintended pregnancies in the United States," said AAP President Eileen M. Ouellette, MD, JD, FAAP. "Unfortunately, excluding adolescents from having over-the-counter access to Plan B is a barrier to reproductive health care and increases their risk of unintended pregnancy."

The majority of U.S. adolescents begin having sexual intercourse by mid- to late adolescence, with an average age of first intercourse between 15 and 17 years. There is adequate safety information about the use of emergency contraceptives with use of this medication in the adolescent population. An increase in awareness and availability of emergency contraception to teens does not change reported rates of sexual activity or increase the frequency of unprotected intercourse among adolescents. Emergency contraception lowers the risk of unintended pregnancy.

"The evidence is clear - emergency contraception for adolescents is safe, effective and it has the potential to lower the number of unintended pregnancies in our society." Dr. Ouellette said. "Improving availability and over-the-counter access to emergency contraception must be extended to all sexually active adolescents, not just young adults."

To view the AAP's policy statement on emergency contraception, go to http://www.aap.org/pressroom/ECstatement.pdf.

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The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 60,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults.