The Food and Drug Administration announced it would approve U.S. District Judge Edward R. Korman’s order to lift a 2006 decision to restrict the sale of Plan B, the emergency contraception method, to women 18 and older.
Korman requested that the FDA allow 17-year-old women access to the pill. The action will not go into effect immediately, as the manufacturer first needs to put in a request.
Plan B prevents ovulation and fertilization with a high dose of birth control drugs. If consumed within 72 hours of intercourse, it helps decrease the chance of pregnancy by up to 89 percent. Women should be educated with the facts and concerns surrounding the pill prior to consumption.
This editorial board commends the FDA for its decision to accept the order to increase the accessibility of Plan B.
While we are not promoting unprotected sex among adolescents or using Plan B as an alternative to contraception, we believe that the option should be available for young women in the case of an emergency.
We would like to acknowledge that accidents happen, and it’s not uncommon for a condom to break during intercourse. While they should take into account the risks, young women should not have to sacrifice their futures because of an accident that could have been easily prevented.
We think that the accessibility of Plan B will reduce the number of abortions and help prevent unwanted teenage pregnancies.
Unsigned editorials represent a majority opinion of the Daily Bruin Editorial Board.