ALL AGES --WITHOUT A PRESCRIPTION A federal appeals court in New York ordered Wednesday that some types of emergency contraceptives, including the best-selling brand, must be made available for now to all ages without a prescription, adding another layer of confusion to a complex and intensely political fight over the drug’s availability In a brief ruling in the battle over emergency contraception, the United States Second Circuit Court of Appeals ordered that the federal government lift all age and sales restrictions for two-pill versions of emergency contraceptives until the court finally rules on the government’s appeal. For now, that court order makes available the top-selling brand, Next Choice, which has accounted for more than half the market in recent years. Before Wednesday’s ruling, Next Choice and two other two-pill versions were available without a prescription only to girls and women ages 17 and older. A federal district judge this year ruled that all versions of the so-called morning-after contraceptive be available over the counter to girls and women of all ages. The Obama administration appealed that ruling and asked that the judge’s order be postponed until the appeals court renders a final judgment later this year. The appeals court’s interim ruling Wednesday does not lift all restrictions for Plan B One-Step, the one-pill version of the same drug, which is the second-best-selling emergency contraceptive. As a result of an F.D.A. decision last month, that pill is available without a prescription for ages 15 and older, and all purchasers must show identification to verify their age. In Washington, Health and Human Service department officials had no immediate comment but said they were reviewing the latest decision.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 00:24:44 +0000
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