Planned Parenthood: Emergency Contraception Is Safe and Effective and Should Be Available Without Prescription or Age Restrictions

WASHINGTON — Planned Parenthood Federation of America said today that emergency contraception should be available over the counter without age restrictions, citing solid scientific and medical research showing that it is safe and effective in preventing unintended pregnancy. Planned Parenthood issued the following statement from Dr. Vanessa Cullins, vice president for external medical affairs at Planned Parenthood Federation of America:

“Planned Parenthood supports efforts to lift the age restriction on over-the-counter access to emergency contraception. Lifting the age restriction will allow emergency contraception to be stocked on store shelves, making it more accessible to women of all ages.

“Last year, the Food and Drug Administration recommended doing away with age restrictions following a thorough review of long-standing scientific findings that prove emergency contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy when regular contraception has failed or unprotected sex has occurred. These studies also show that teens are as likely as adults to use emergency contraception correctly.

“Based on research showing that it is safe and effective, we encourage the Department of Health and Human Services to lift the unnecessary age restrictions on over-the-counter access to emergency contraception.”