Politics & Current Events
vlagrl29
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Plan B thoughts?
I saw on the news yesterday that now kids as young as 15 can get this pill on the shelf now. I personally am not comfortable with this. Regardless if you use it for birth control in an emergency situation there are some crazy side effects as well. I would sure hope that my daughter would be open with me regarding these things because I would worry about her or other kids having easy access to it and using it as a regular method.
What are your thoughts on this?
Re: Plan B thoughts?
I have a question first...
There are several OTC (you do not need a prescription) cold/flu medications that are still "locked up" and only adults can buy (and you get carded...I have been carded for buying certain cough syrups, for example, and you have to ask for some maximum strength sinus medicines from the pharmacy even though you do not need a doctor's prescription approval to purchase them).
Is this Plan B going to be treated like these medicines (locked up, behind the pharmacy, and a customer would need to specifically ask for them)? Or, is it going to be out in the open for anyone to grab off the shelf?
I find it irritating and inconsistent. I do not understand how this medicine is regarded as "harmless" (for lack of a better word) enough to be OTC while others are not. I feel that this is more of a political move than anything.
I do find a disconnect in the fact that our students need a parental sign-off to get simple medicines like Tylenol or Advil, yet this is OTC.
I've been annoyed for years because Sudafed is not available to me. It's the only thing that works for my ailments sometimes. The generic Sudafed doesn't. I don't care that people say it's the same.
My pro-life views aside...
My concern with ANY medication capable of causing a pregnancy termination/implantation are potential side effects of the drug on people with known or unknown underlying health issues (specifically unknown).
Also, recent brain research has noted that the human brain isn't actually fully matured (at least the decision-making/judgment part) until the 20's. I fear for a 15 year old having access to this powerful drug who would already be under duress of a possible pregnancy (fear, worry, etc.) not being capable of making a sound medical decision for herself.
Back to pro-life/pro-choice...
The pro-choice side always cites the example of woman having unsafe access to sketchy abortions doctors/clinics when legal abortions are outlawed (AKA back alley) and the harm that is done to their bodies or the deaths that result.
How is access to this drug with no proper medical direction (at any age) any different?
The news I saw last night said they would be on the shelf available so I assumed that meant easily available but maybe it will be behind the pharmacy. not sure
Here is a link to the article I read
http://www.kshb.com//dpp/news/health/fda-approves-morning-after-pill-for-ages-15-and-up-cashier-to-check-age?fb_action_ids=10151596865492608&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582
I agree with this part of your response as well. I did take this pill one time when I was 27. I'm glad it was there for me because that was a circumstance that was not normal for me (one night stand accidental condom coming off). I didn't know you could buy it in the store so I went to the doctor to get a script. I couldn't imagine being 15 and having to take this or not really understand what it does. Kids need to be educated about it first off. But I also couldn't imagine being 15 and having had sex since my first time wasn't even until I was 22.
That's all fine and good, but you do realize that kids do not always wait until they are in their 20's to have sex. Maybe in a perfect world, they would, but the reality is, the world isn't perfect and they do not always wait. This would be where communication as a parent would come into play - it's absolutely essential for people to talk to their children about this stuff and educate them. I think the schools should as well. And I would go so far and say that children need to be given ALL of the facts because I'm sorry, but I really feel that abstinence only education does not work. That said, I think they should have access to Plan B, however, it might be a better idea to have it behind the counter and they would need to ask for it. That way, maybe it would prompt the pharmacist to give them further information about it, not so much to sway them either way, but just so they know the risks involved with taking this. To deny someone this though because of their age - what is the other alternative? They get pregnant and then what? I think they - along with anyone else - should have all options available to them to make that choice.
And btw - there is a reason why drugs like sudafed and other decongestant medications are now kept behind the counter at the pharmacies....it's one of the ingredients used in making crystal meth. It had become a huge problem here in NY (and other places), so whenever you buy this medication here now, they make you give your ID and write all of your info down. Crazy, but this is what happens when people use/abuse medications for purposes other than what they are intended for
This is apples to oranges. Schools require parental sign offs for Tylenol, not pharmacies, and schools aren't offering Plan B. Any teen can go into a pharmacy and buy Tylenol and Advil, as well as Plan B.
And Tylenol is far more dangerous than Plan B.
I'm confused - did they take Sudafed off the shelves? I feel like I bought some recently, but maybe that was a different kind of Sudafed.
The reason common cold medicines are kept behind the counter and purchases are logged is to restrict access to ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, precursor ingredients for the manufacture of meth. If one person buys an exceptionally large quantity, it's an indication that it's being used for illegal purposes and the log makes it easier for law enforcement to catch meth cookers.
Once states started enacting laws requiring tighter controls on these products, most pharmaceutical companies reformulated their products to leave out ephedrine or pseudoephedrine so people who are legitimately in need of cold or allergy relief can buy meds without having to jump through hoops. You probably bought a formula that didn't contain precursor ingredients.
IMO, this is not at all relevant to the debate about the availability of Plan B over the counter because it's about a completely separate policy issue.
they've been off the shelves for awhile here. I have to get it behind the pharmacy counter. I have no problem with that because people were using it to make meth
yep, I agree with this as well. communication is very important
I read that the Obama administration on Wednesday appealed the federal judge's order to lift the age limits on who can buy morning-after pills without a prescription
Apparently they don't support the decision made earlier that is being discussed here.
Is this a liberal left attack on women? You know a new war on women.
Where is the outcry? Where is Kluck? Where is the media coverage?
Thanks for the education, but I already knew the reason.
what about the 10 year olds
I told DH last night that by the time DD is 15 it will be allowed for 10 year old girls.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/05/01/obama-administration-plans-to-appeal-plan-b-ruling/
The Justice Department filed notice late Wednesday that it will challenge a federal court decision requiring the government to make emergency contraceptives available over the counter to women of all ages.
The move came hours after the Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptives to women 15 and older. Previously, Plan B was available to teenagers younger than 17 only with a prescription. Older women had to request it from a pharmacist.
The Obama administration also asked the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of New York to stay Judge Edward Korman?s early-April ruling, which is set to take effect Sunday.
The administration?s challenge will no doubt reignite a debate over whether young teens should be eligible to obtain emergency contraception without a doctor?s consent, a politically fraught issue that has vexed two presidential administrations and led to the resignation of multiple FDA officials.
?We are deeply disappointed that just days after President Obama proclaimed his commitment to women?s reproductive rights, his administration has decided once again to deprive women of their right to obtain emergency contraception without unjustified and burdensome restrictions,? Center for Reproductive Rights President Nancy Northup, whose organization represents the defendants, said in a statement.
In federal court documents, the Justice Department argued that Korman overstepped his authority in ordering the FDA to make emergency contraceptives available to all women over the counter.
?The Court?s Order interferes with and thereby undermines the regulatory procedures governing FDA?s drug approval process,? the Justice Department said. ?A drug approval decision involves scientific judgments as to whether statutory and regulatory factors are met that warrant deference to those charged with the statutory responsibility to make those decisions.?
The new legal challenge does not affect the FDA?s decision Tuesday to make Plan B available to females 15 and older. That decision became effective as soon as it was issued.
The Justice Department, in fact, relied on that new decision to argue that none of the federal case?s plaintiffs ? who are 15 or older ? would be harmed by a court decision to delay Korman?s ruling from taking effect.
?The approval has the effect of ensuring that all of the plaintiffs in this case (including the youngest of them) now have access without a prescription and without significant point-of-sale restrictions to at least one form of emergency contraceptive containing levonorgestrel,? the Justice Department argued, referring to the active ingredient in Plan B.
The Obama administration?s appeal is the latest step in a protracted debate over whether emergency contraceptives should be sold over the counter on shelves next to painkillers and condoms.
The FDA concluded in December 2011 that the pill is safe for over-the-counter use among women of all ages, without consulting a physician.
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius overruled the agency, citing concerns over a lack of data on how the medication would affect girls as young as 12.
In his April 5 ruling, Korman called Sebelius?s decision ?politically motivated, scientifically unjustified, and contrary to agency precedent.? He ordered the federal government to reverse its position, giving the administration 30 days to appeal the decision.
Would it be better for a 10 year old girl to get pregnant?
Seriously, if a 10 year old is already having sex, the horse is out of the barn and you have bigger problems than whether Plan B is available to her or not.
I know. I just joking to make light of the situation. I don't agree with the obama admin on this one either.
I don't really have a problem with the morning after pill...but...
What I don't understand is, as a parent I had to provide written permission for my 16 year old to obtain a driver's license. When she was admitted to the hospital I had to provide written permission for the hospital to treat her. If she chooses to get married prior to her turning 18, I also have to provide written permission.
Yet, she can walk into CVS at anytime and obtain the morning after pill without me even knowing. That is what I do not agree with. The government doesn't need to be a parent to my child, I am very capable of doing that on my own.
Just because a female is biologically considered a woman (has begun menstruating) doesn't mean she is one yet and is capable of making life altering decisions.
If this were the case, then I would have been an "adult" in 4th grade!
Also, what if a young girl is raped or a victim of incest and she knows she has access to this pill...what would amke her go to authorities to report the crime if she knew she could just "hide."
At least if there is SOME oversight by a pharmacist giving it out from behind the counter that particular adult can possibly monitor who is buying and perhaps intervene.
You mean like having sex? Getting pregnant? Deciding to keep a baby and raise it herself?
Do you think parents should be able to force their pregnant 15 year old daughters to have abortions because they're "not capable of making life altering decisions"?
Do you have to provide written permission for your 16 year old to buy Tylenol at CVS? Why not?
Twice in this thread you have cited Tylenol as being a potentially dangerous substance/ you have alluded to this point.
What gives on Tylenol AKA acetaminophen?
I don't understand this argument at all. There are already scores of girls/women who don't report rape/abuse/incest.
Yep there are. So we should make a pregnancy termination drug available OTC without any pharmacist oversight and contribute to even more young women not reporting these crimes?
Hypothetical: A girl is being abused by a teacher at school (because that never happens) and she thinks she could be pregnant. She goes to CVS and grabs one of these pills. Takes it. Problem solved and no one ever need know about her little scary problem of being assaulted by her authority figure. Same authority figure does the same thing to scores of girls during his tenure at the local junior high.
Same situation, but make the drug available OTC but with a pharmacist handing it to the girl and reviewing with her possible side effects, and warnings not to mix with XYZ drug, or to not take if she has ABC condition...maybe just maybe the pharmacist in his/her conversation learns of the assault. Teacher arrested. Safe kids.
But you don't understand that argument at all???
I'm using it as an example because acetaminophen is arguably the most dangerous OTC drug:
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/explainer/2011/12/emergency_contraceptives_over_the_counter_are_they_more_dangerous_than_other_drugs_.html
What?s the most dangerous drug you can buy without a prescription? It's hard to say. As far as the Explainer can tell, no researcher has ever compared the fatality rates of every drug available over the counter?probably because the number of deaths from overdose of antacids and many other products is so small as to make the study a waste of time. There is, however, a large body of research on pain relievers. Analgesic overdoses are pretty common in the United States. In 2000, poison-control centers received more than 130,000 calls from people who believed they had taken a dangerous amount of an over-the-counter painkiller. Nearly one-half of those calls concerned acetaminophen, best known as the active ingredient in Tylenol. Approximately 0.2 percent of those cases ended in death. That?s higher than the reported death rate for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen), but lower than the fatality rate for aspirin. (Aspirin is technically in the same category, but is often separated for research purposes.)* However, most of the aspirin deaths appear to have been suicides, while accidental overdose is more common than intentional overdose for acetaminophen. Between the years 1990 and 1998, 458 people died from taking too much acetaminophen.*
First of all, Plan B is NOT a pregnancy termination drug. It's a contraceptive. Period. If you are already pregnant, taking Plan B will not make you miscarry or lose the pregnancy.
Second of all, I see your point, but I'd propose an alternate scenario. Plan B is behind the counter, and the girl is too afraid and/or embarrassed to ask the pharmacist for it (because teenagers are embarrassed enough just to buy tampons from a stranger). So she doesn't get Plan B and ends up pregnant. So she has an abortion, if she can afford it and if she can find an abortion provider near her. Or she gives birth to her abuser's baby, has to drop out of school to raise the baby, spends the rest of her life struggling financially, not to mention the ever-present reminder that she's raising her abuser's child. Or she gives the baby up for adoption, and is forever scarred by the pain of giving up her child. There really aren't any happy endings if she's gotten pregnant and if she wasn't able to prevent that conception before it happened.
Yup.
I'm glad it's becoming a little bit more accessible. People can pretend that their kids aren't going to have sex until they're 20 just because that's what they did and what they're going to teach. But, good luck. Teenagers are known for not listening.
And, let's not pretend that parents always talk to their kids about sex period. My parents didn't. Not once. And there are PLENTY of other parents out there just like mine who are going to have kids who don't know anything about sex. Maybe they'll have a boyfriend who tells them you can't get pregnant by having sex in a hot tub and they'll believe it because they have nobody teaching them the truth. These are the kids who will benefit from the Plan B.
I was raped when I was 14 and I was too scared to tell my parents. Even with the risk of pregnancy, I didn't tell them. I just spent the next 3 weeks in the personal hell of wondering if I was knocked up. Having Plan B available would have saved me a lot of stress. Obviously I would have had to have one of my older friends pick it up for me though.
Also, it's not a "dangerous drug." It's pretty much the same ingredients as a normal birth control pill. The reason Sudafed was taken off the shelves is because people use it to make Meth, not because it is dangerous to take on its own.