FDA: Morning-after pills are not abortion pills

[FakeNoose]

(link) https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2022/12/23/fda-morning-after-pills-abortion-pills-plan-b/stories/202212230104

(This is a reprint from the New York Times)

The Food and Drug Administration on Friday significantly changed the information that will be in every box of the most widely used emergency contraceptive pills to make clear that they do not prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb. The agency explained in an accompanying document that the products cannot be described as abortion pills.

Up to now, packages of the brand-name pill, Plan B One-Step, as well as generic versions of it have said that the pill might work by preventing a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb — language that scientific evidence did not support. That wording led some abortion opponents and politicians who equate a fertilized egg with a person to say that taking the morning-after pill could be the equivalent of having an abortion or even committing murder.

The FDA revised the leaflets inserted in packages of pills to say that the medication “works before release of an egg from the ovary,” meaning that it acts before fertilization, not after. The package insert also says the pill “will not work if you’re already pregnant, and will not affect an existing pregnancy.”

In a question-and-answer document posted on the FDA’s website, the agency explicitly addressed the abortion issue. In answer to the question, “Is Plan B One-Step able to cause an abortion?” the agency writes: “No.” It added: “Plan B One-Step prevents pregnancy by acting on ovulation, which occurs well before implantation. Evidence does not support that the drug affects implantation or maintenance of pregnancy after implantation, therefore, it does not terminate a pregnancy.”

- more at link -

Could be a game-changer? I don't know, but this seems hopeful for women who face the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy. (Especially those living in states like Texas.)

[WhiskeyGrinder]

1. How would it be a game changer?

Could be a game-changer? I don't know, but this seems hopeful for women who face the possibility of an unwanted pregnancy. (Especially those living in states like Texas.)

How would it be useful for someone who has an unwanted pregnancy?

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. I'm imagining because it could prevent at least a decent number of unwanted pregnancies?

These states banning abortion won't have a leg to stand on if they try to ban and/or limit Plan B ... if it's truly purely a contraceptive. Uptight pharmacists as well won't have any cover. It provides cover to the big pharmacies the CVS and Walgreens to stock it in their stores, etc.

Obviously it's not the end-all be-all but it could help women in these states quite a bit, seems to me.

I'd add that in the end, 'game-changer' is a pretty nebulous term.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. .

These states banning abortion won't have a leg to stand on if they try to ban and/or limit Plan B ... if it's truly purely a contraceptive. Uptight pharmacists as well won't have any cover. It provides cover to the big pharmacies the CVS and Walgreens to stock it in their stores, etc.

Until the Republicans go after contraceptives as contraceptives. Six states already allow pharmacists to refuse to fill scripts for contraception.

Obviously it's not the end-all be-all but it could help women in these states quite a bit, seems to me.

It was already available as an emergency contraception, so I'm not sure what the change for the end-user is. And it certainly doesn't help people who are pregnant and don't want to be.

I'd add that in the end, 'game-changer' is a pretty nebulous term.

Very true.