Notice this item is NOT tagged as health-related.

US urged to allow wider emergency contraception
Thu May 18, 2006 07:03 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A leading international medical journal has called on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to dismiss political pressure and allow emergency contraception to be sold without a prescription.

The Lancet, in its upcoming May 20 edition, said acting FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach must make an independent decision on Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc's bid to sell its Plan B drug -- also known as a "morning after pill" -- over-the-counter, especially if he is to lead the agency on a permanent basis.

President Bush tapped von Eschenbach to run the agency full-time earlier this year, but his nomination has stalled in the U.S. Senate, where two Democrats have blocked any vote pending a decision on the drug.

Editors at the Lancet, published in London, said von Eschenbach's failure to act indicates he may not be independent enough to run the FDA.

"His failure to issue a decision undermines both his credibility and that of the agency. Von Eschenbach should move quickly to approve Plan B to show he has the independence needed to be an effective leader of the FDA," the editorial said.

"The agency is stalling, apparently to avoid offending antiabortion supporters of President Bush, who claim that the contraceptive is an abortifacient," it added.