FDA Ordered to Reconsider Plan B Age Limits

Today, a federal court ordered the FDA to make Plan B available without a prescription to women age 17 and older (currently, age is set at 18 or older). Not only that, the court also mandated that the FDA reconsider making Plan B available over-the-counter to women of any age.

In the decision, the court wrote that the FDA “acted…in response to political pressure” and that the FDA’s evidence for limiting Plan B access to those under 18 “lacks all credibility.” You can read the rest of the scathing, 52-page decision here.

While reproductive rights activists and FDA reformists are rejoicing, there’s also the predictable condemnation by conservative organizations like the Family Research Council. The FRC says it worries about girls’ well-being, and claims the court’s decision is politically motivated. The decision accepts “all of the claims of a political ideology promoting sexual license for teens.” Personally, I don’t really see how Plan B promotes sexual license. If anything, I would think it promotes sexual responsibility. What’s your take?