Media Center: Press Release

Scientific Evidence Proves that Emergency Contraception Is Safe and Effective for Women of All Ages, Doctors Say

New York, NY—Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health (PRCH) applauds today's decision to make emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) available to women without a prescription. ECPs are a high dose of the hormones found in birth control pills, and can prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex.

"This announcement is a major breakthrough for women's health in the United States," says PRCH board chair Dr. Wendy Chavkin. "We know that emergency contraceptive pills greatly reduce a woman's chances of becoming pregnant, but they have to be taken within a few days—preferably within a few hours. Allowing women access to this medication without a prescription will help prevent numerous unintended pregnancies."

Even as PRCH's physician members praise the decision to make ECPs available without a prescription, they call on the FDA to expand access for women of all ages. The FDA's decision restricts the medication to women over the age of 18, despite medical evidence showing that younger women can safely and responsibly use ECPs. "The United States has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates in the industrialized world, approximately 850,000 each year. Giving all women access to this medication could help reduce the rate of unintended pregnancy among teenagers," notes Dr. Chavkin. "Two panels of scientific experts at the FDA recommended over-the-counter access to emergency contraception without age restrictions. We call on the FDA to heed the scientific facts and help prevent unintended teen pregnancy."

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