STATEMENT BY CECILE RICHARDS, PRESIDENT, PLANNED PARENTHOOD FEDERATION OF AMERICA, ON THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION (FDA) ALLOWING EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION TO BE SOLD OTC TO WOMEN 17 YEARS AND OLDER

“Today's announcement by the FDA is a strong statement to American women that their health comes before politics. And that's the way it should be. This decision is commonsense policy that will help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and protect the health and safety of all women.

“The US has the highest rate of teen pregnancy among the most developed countries in the world. Providing birth control, including emergency birth control, to young women helps them make responsible decisions and avoid unintended pregnancy.”

Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading sexual and reproductive health care provider and advocate. We believe that everyone has the right to choose when or whether to have a child, and that every child should be wanted and loved. Planned Parenthood affiliates operate nearly 800 health centers nationwide, providing medical services and sexuality education for millions of women, men, and teenagers each year. We also work with allies worldwide to ensure that all women and men have the right and the means to meet their sexual and reproductive health care needs.