HHS: Girls under 17 must consult doctors to get ‘morning after pill’

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PROVIDENCE—Those working on the front lines of the diocese’s pro-life efforts say that while they are pleased with the Obama administration’s decision not to allow girls under the age of 17 to purchase the Plan B One-Step “morning after pill” without a prescription, they would rather have the pill taken off the market entirely.

"The recent overruling of the FDA decision to sell Plan B over-the-counter (OTC) to children as young as 11 years of age is certainly in the interest of protecting the health of young girls,” said Father Robert H. Forcier, chaplain of the diocese’s Human Life Guild, and pastor of St. Paul Church, Cranston.

“Besides its abortifacient qualities, the use of Plan B has also been shown to increase the incidence of STDs, heighten the risk of dangerous ectopic pregnancies, and even be utilized as a "date rape" drug. Despite this victory for children, the fact remains that Plan B is a dangerous drug that can destroy human life — with or without a prescription," Father Forcier said.

Announcing the decision Dec. 7, Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said the drug manufacturer, Teva Women's Health, had not proven that those under 17 were sufficiently mature to use Plan B One-Step properly.

"There are significant cognitive and behavioral differences between older adolescent girls and the youngest girls of reproductive age," who could be as young as 11, Sebelius said.

Although "science has confirmed the drug to be safe and effective with appropriate use," she said, "the switch from prescription to over-the-counter for this product requires that we have enough evidence to show that those who use this medicine can understand the label and use the product appropriately.

"I do not believe that Teva's application met that standard," Sebelius said. "The label comprehension and actual use studies did not contain data for all ages for which this product would be available for use."

Karen Ridlen, pro-life coordinator at St. Augustine Parish, Providence, said that while she is relieved that Secretary Sebelius did not agree with the drug manufacturer’s recommendation, it would be much safer for women if the medication was completely removed from the market.

“That pill can potentially perform an abortion in and of itself,” Ridlen said.

“It also doesn’t promote the virtues that the Catholic Church teaches in regards to sexuality.”

Nancy Buffery, a pro-life chair at Sts. Rose and Clement Parish, Warwick, reflected on the issue from the perspective of parental permission for any treatment given to their children.

“As a parent, I think anyone under the age of 18 should be required to have parental consent,” she said.

“Our children are being given medications without our consent.”

Catholic News Service reports were used in this story.