TOP FDA OFFICIAL RESIGNS OVER INACTION ON "MORNING-AFTER PILL"
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AUGUST 31, 2005
Washington, DC – Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL Pro-Choice America, issued the following statement in response to the resignation of Dr. Susan Wood, the director of the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health, over her frustration that the agency continues to delay a decision on over-the-counter status for Plan B, also known as the “morning after pill.”
“Dr. Wood’s resignation reflects the growing public outrage of the majority of Americans that the FDA is stalling women’s access to birth control for political reasons. Improved access to birth control, especially emergency contraception, is one of the best ways to prevent unintended pregnancy and reduce the need for abortion. Women’s health is too important for the FDA to continue playing the delay game.”
In an email sent by Dr. Wood she cites her growing dissatisfaction at the agency’s refusal to act on the Plan B application and her concern that sound science is being stifled. She states that she “. . . can no longer serve as staff when scientific and clinical evidence, fully evaluated and recommended for approval by the professional staff here, has been overuled. [Sic]”
NARAL Pro-Choice America is a national leader in this effort and first urged the FDA to give women better access to the morning-after pill almost five years ago. NARAL Pro-Choice America directed a recent campaign that generated more than 26,000 messages in support of the Plan B application from all 50 states to the FDA.
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