In the Chicago Sun-Times on August 1, Steve Trombley, president of Planned Parenthood Chicago Area, claims that if only over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill Plan B had been allowed 550 days ago (when first considered by the FDA) “2.25 million unintended pregnancies and 1.2 million abortions could have been prevented.” 

Such an outrageously inaccurate claim is apparently consistent with Planned Parenthood’s marketing slogan that the morning-after pill will reduce unintended pregnancies and abortions by half.  Of course, Plan B has already been available for a number of years, but only with a prescription.  Apparently, Plan B only becomes a silver bullet once it is available without a prescription.

In the real world, for example, in England and other European nations where over-the-counter sales have been allowed, the results have been an increase in unintended pregnancies and abortions.   As an additional "bonus", sexually transmitted diseases among teenagers have reached what is described as epidemic levels in England.  

Trombley is also quoted as demanding “the FDA start listening to women and families and stop listening to a small group of extremists who would outlaw sex if they could.”  That sounds like the rant of an extremist to me. 

Families do not want their teenage daughters to run down to the corner drug store to stock-up on Plan B.  Of course, Planned Parenthood does, because they are in the business of selling abortions, so they will be happy with the same results achieved in England and elsewhere in Europe.  They also sell testing and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases, so they will have no problem with an epidemic there either. 

Thus, even though Plan B is absolutely not a silver bullet for reducing unintended pregnancies and abortions, it will provide a silver lining for Planned Parenthood's revenue stream.  Follow the money, not the marketing slogans!

These extremist observations from Trombley were obtained in response to the news that the FDA has sent a letter to Barr Laboratories.  That letter indicates the FDA may be willing to allow Barr’s Plan B morning-after pill to be sold without a prescription to 18-year-olds and above.   A meeting with Barr to discuss details is suggested in the FDA letter. 

A wide variety of Pro-Life and Pro-Family groups have a different suggestion.  Contact the FDA and the President to let them know that Plan B should not be available without a prescription.  You can contact the FDA Commissioner's office at (301) 827-2410, or by e-mail at commissioner@FDA.gov, and the White House comment line at 1-202-456-1111, or by email at comments@whitehouse.gov.