From 1984 to 2004 the abortion rate in England climbed from 11 per 1000 to 18 per 1000 reaching a rate of 185,400 abortions in one year. Many think that increased availability of PlanB by providing it over the counter would lower abortion rates. Plan B is a drug containing the same chemicals as the birth control pill, only many times the strength.
LifeNews.com reports:
In the past five years since the morning-after pill was made available over-the-counter, hundreds of thousands of women have used it but the number of British abortions has also risen steadily from 186,300 in 2001 to 194,400 last year.
Professor Anna Glasier, director of the Lothian Primary Care NHS Trust in Edinburgh, wrote an article in the British Medical Journal showing that, while the morning after pill had been called a solution for both abortion and teen pregnancies, it failed to deliver.
“Despite the clear increase in the use of emergency contraception, abortion rates have not fallen in the UK,” she wrote.
One of the contraversial issues about Plan B is that pro-life groups say that it can cause abortions while supporters of the drug deny this. It has been said that Barr Pharmaceuticals, the manufacturer of the drug has acknowledged that Plan B can prevent a fertilized egg from implanting. Even though the FDA approved the drug for over the counter sales, they also acknowledge the fact that Plan B may cause abortions.
“If fertilization does occur, Plan B may prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the womb (implantation).”
Many in government and the media deny this fact.
Washington Times article
Go2PlanB Web Site
Most often though, those in favor of Plan B produce the argument that an already implanted fertilized egg cannot be dislodged. They do not address the issue of the drug preventing a fertilized egg from emplantation.
Another argument is that the drug is safe because it is not taken on a regular basis like the birth control pill, but since it contains up to 40x the amount of birth control dosage and can be taken twice a month, almost three times the dosage might be consumed by women. Other possible side effects of Plan B:
“Plan B can put a woman who takes it at an increased risk for ectopic pregnancies. Plan B also can cause nausea, vomiting, fatigue, headache, abdominal cramps, and menstrual irregularities”
The FDA did approve of over the counter sales of Plan B to women over 18, even though it is known by the FDA and Barr Pharmaceuticals that Plan B can cause the death of human beings in the womb. A Barr representative has stated that they will push for over the counter sales of this drug to girls as young as 15. A press release by Barr in 2004 shows that they are pursuing over the counter sales to girls as young as 16, and prescription only for girls under 15.
Many say that Plan B is not dangerous and would not increase abortion rates. I believe this speculation will be put to rest over time. It is unfortunate that women have to be injured and killed to prove this point.
Posted by News at 09:00 AM. Filed under: International • England • Issues • Contraception • News •