The XX Factor : Plan B

Paying the Price

Liza Mundy — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:25:00 GMT

Last night I went to the pharmacy to see if I could pin down something that would speak to Abby's worry that Plan B might change teenage sexual behavior if/when it becomes available OTC to 17-year-olds. That would be the price. I knew the morning-after...(read more)

What's So Scientific About 17?

Abigail Pilgrim — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 18:17:00 GMT

In all the XX Factor rejoicing of making Plan B available to 17-year-olds, no one has mentioned one peep about any of the possible consequences this change could bring about to high school sexual culture — we are talking about juniors and seniors in high...(read more)

More Places To Put the Pill

Kerry Howley — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 15:16:00 GMT

Emily , thanks for the link to that meta-analysis in cautious support of over-the-counter birth control. For what it's worth, I certainly didn't mean to imply that annual cancer screenings are a waste of time. I am arguing that doctor's visits made solely...(read more)

In Defense of OTC Birth Control

Kerry Howley — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:55:00 GMT

Emily and Torie , my grasp of the regulatory issues is imperfect, but it’s my understanding that a drug company would have to apply for over-the-counter status through the FDA. (I've never heard a single plausible medical justification for keeping birth...(read more)

The Trouble With OTC Birth Control

Torie Bosch — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:37:00 GMT

I, too, applaud the move to make Plan B available over the counter for 17-year-olds, but, Kerry , I have to raise one problem that could accompany making hormonal birth control OTC: insurance. Many insurance plans don't cover OTC medication, unless it's...(read more)

Plan B and the Bush Science Monkeys

Emily Bazelon — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 16:25:00 GMT

Kerry , interesting point about making regular birth-control available without a prescription. I wonder what the medical reasons for classifying it as a prescription drug are—do you know? In the meantime, I'm relishing Monday's Plan B decision as a rare...(read more)

Plan B for Teens

Kerry Howley — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:35:00 GMT

Back during the ridiculous brouhaha over access to the morning-after pill, regulators compromised by making the pill available without a prescription only to women of 18 years of age or older. A federal judge, noting that this restriction is arbitrary...(read more)

Obama To Rescind Provider Conscience Rule

Jessica Grose — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:09:00 GMT

Emily , there's another decision from the Obama White House that women can cheer about: Word is they're rolling back the provider conscience rule today. Bush finalized the legislation in the waning days of his administration, and it allows medical professionals...(read more)