The U.S. Food and Drug Administration authority is under pressure as it has been urged to make emergency contraception drug as an over-the counter drug.
Andrew von Eschenbach, acting Commissioner of the FDA has been urged to take an independent, non-biased decision on Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc's bid to sell its morning after pill or Plan B without a medical prescription.Plan B consists of a set of two pills that can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. The action of this pill is in much contrast to the abortion pill RU-486 that terminates an established pregnancy.
The Lancet is an internationally acclaimed medical journal. Editors of this prestigious journal, ‘the agency is stalling, apparently to avoid offending antiabortion supporters of President Bush.’
Earlier this year, Andrew von Eschenbach was tapped by the President to run the agency, fulltime. However, the nomination has been stalled in the U.S. Senate. Critics argue that approval of this Plan B drug to be sold over the counter may actually
