From New York Times article Judge Strikes Down Age Limits on Morning-After Pill
On Friday, Judge Edward R. Korman of the Eastern District of New York ruled that the prescription requirement for females 16 years and younger trying to acquire emergency contraception pills, like Plan B, is not scientifically necessary. Judge Korman ruled the prescription requirement was "arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable."
The EC pill is often clumped together with abortion, though the two could not be anymore different. The EC pill is NOT an abortion pill, it is a form of birth control. The EC pill stops the ovaries from releasing an egg so that the sperm and egg cannot join, therefore pregnancy does not occur. It is intended to be taken up to five days after unprotected sex has occurred - the sooner, the better.
This is obviously a very controversial issue and a bold move on Judge Korman's part to nullify the age restriction. Many conservative groups are up in arms about the now easily accessible EC pill, their arguments involving health concerns for younger girls and whether or not the EC pill is an abortion pill (it's not).
I personally think this is a huge step forward for reproductive health. I remember having to go to the pharmacy for a friend in need of the EC pill (the condom had broke, that actually happens!) who was unable to purchase it because she wasn't quite old enough yet. Age restrictions make sense for hazardous products like tobacco and alcohol, not for a product that could safeguard someone from getting pregnant. Now that the prescription requirement has been lifted for young females, it's time for the government and health officials to work towards making birth control affordable and/or, dare I say it, free!
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