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Common Dreams

Court: FDA Must Make Emergency Contraception Available Over the Counter for All Ages

"It's a true victory for all women," said Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights

by
Andrea Germanos, staff writer

"It's a true victory for all women, especially young women, women without government-issued identification, and those who live in areas with limited pharmacy hours," stated Northup. (Photo: waltarrrrr/flickr)

A federal judge has ruled that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must make emergency contraception pills also known as "morning-after pills" over the counter and lift age restrictions.

Reuters reports:

In his ruling, U.S. District Judge Edward Korman said the FDA's rejection of requests to remove age restrictions to obtain the pill was "arbitrary, capricious and unreasonable." [...]

In Friday's ruling, Korman blasted the agencies' justification for their decisions, calling it "an excuse to deprive the overwhelming majority of women of their rights to obtain contraceptives without unjustified and burdensome restrictions."

The Center for Reproductive Rights, which had filed suit against the FDA over its restrictions on morning-after pills, welcomed the decision.

"Today science has finally prevailed over politics," Nancy Northup, president and CEO for the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement. "This landmark court decision has struck a huge blow to the deep-seated discrimination that has for too long denied women access to a full range of safe and effective birth control methods.

"Women all over the country will no longer face arbitrary delays and barriers just to get emergency contraception. It's a true victory for all women, especially young women, women without government-issued identification, and those who live in areas with limited pharmacy hours," stated Northup.

CNN has video:

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