Dearborn Parents Have Mixed Reaction to FDA's Birth Control Ruling

Women in Dearborn will soon be able to buy emergency contraception without a prescription.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced on Tuesday that it was approving Plan B One-Step, also known as the morning-after pill, to be sold in the retail aisle next to condoms and other over-the-counter birth control products.

Previously women have had to ask a pharmacist for emergency contraception. Those under 17 could get the pill only with a prescription. That age has now been lowered to 15, according to the Associated Press.

Dearborn resident Shadden Shadden told Dearborn Patch that she is happy to see the restrictions on birth control lifted.

"I'm glad it's available," she said. "Every option should be made available to couples to prevent unwanted pregnancies. If you're opposed to it, keep a better eye on your kids. It's not the government's responsibility to provide moral guidance."

Resident Sharon Laura, agreed with Shadden, stating: "If parents aren't discussing the hard topics with their children, I would rather the pill be available. Better than children having children."

Resident Yasmine Ferris said she is "not thrilled" with the FDA's decision.

"Parents really need to keep a close eye on their kids whereabouts and behaviors, but (the ruling) is one way to get around the judgmental doctors and insurance companies who don't want to prescribe birth control for their own moral reasons," she said.

The FDA said its ruling applies only to Plan B One-Step, and not to generic versions of the pill, which will remain behind pharmacy counters with the age-17 restriction. Customers who purchase Plan B One-Step must present a valid ID proving that they are at least 15 years old.

Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, told USA Today that the FDA's ruling is a small victory for women.

"The FDA is under a federal court order that makes it crystal clear that emergency contraception must be made available over the counter, without restriction to women of all ages by next Monday," she said. "Lowering the age restriction to 15 for over-the-counter access to Plan B One-Step may reduce delays for some young women — but it does nothing to address the significant barriers that far too many women of all ages will still find if they arrive at the drugstore without identification or after the pharmacy gates have been closed for the night or weekend."

An employee at the Dearborn Walgreens pharmacy on Michigan Avenue said Plan B One-Step will not be available over the counter until the store receives official instructions from the FDA.

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