Plan B Spotlight

As acting FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach prepared to testify at a Senate confirmation hearing, the agency indicated a possible thaw in its opposition to selling Plan B emergency contraception, the morning-after pill, over the counter. The FDA expert advisory committee made this recommendation more than two years ago; usually, the agency follows the panel recommendations.

Also on Monday, in Washington State, nine women advised the Washington State Board of Pharmacy that getting a prescription filled in Olympia, the state capital, was not a straightforward proposition. One woman reported being turned away by three pharmacies; the nine women had 17 rejections in June and July. The pharmacies were all chains: Ralph's Thriftway, Albertson's/Sav-On, Rite Aid and Walgreens.

One complaintant sought the drug because of a broken condom: "I couldn't find a Plan B pill for 45 hours after. I ended up getting pregnant. Then I had a miscarriage... It was very painful emotionally and physically. I just wish it could have been avoided."

Abortion opponents consider this emergency contraception to be equivalent to an abortion. The last time the Senate lifted a hold on a nominee -- because the FDA said it would move on this isue -- the Agency reneged on the promise.