Dr. Susan Wood Speaks on FDA’s Delaying of Emergency Contraception
Dr. Susan Wood at Bogart's in Raleigh
Dr. Susan Wood spoke at a NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina event at Bogart’s Restaurant in Raleigh. Her speech was about the FDA’s refusal to approve emergency contraception to be sold over-the-counter. The FDA’s own recommendation was that emergency contraception should be sold over-the-counter. Currently, a prescription is required for emergency contraception. Dr. Susan Wood is the former Assistant Commissioner for Women's Health at the Food and Drug Administration where she directed the FDA Office of Women's Health and served as the “champion for women's health” inside and outside the agency. In August 2005, Dr. Wood resigned on principle in response to the decision announced by FDA leadership to once again delay approval of Plan B emergency contraception, despite the recommendation of FDA scientific staff and advisory committees. Emergency contraception (EC, also known as the morning-after pill) is a high-dose of birth control that can be taken, up to a certain number of days after having unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. It is more effective the sooner it is taken, and requiring a prescription often hinders women’s access to this time-sensitive treatment. EC works the same as other forms of birth control, such as IUDs, and will not harm an existing pregnancy. Many confuse EC with RU-486, the abortion pill, and several doctors and pharmacists even refuse to prescribe EC, even for rape victims. Dr. Wood expressed that EC is simply a highly concentrated dose of birth control, and should not be separated from other forms of birth control during conversations or discussions. Volunteers and supporters of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina had an incredible evening at Bogart’s in Raleigh. Wine was provided by Sable Ridge, White Oak and Davis-Bynum Wineries. Sponsors for the event included: Susan Hill, National Women’s Health Organization; Dr. Takey Crist, Crist Clinic for Women; Workplace Options: Sally & Alan Cone; Joyce & Shayne Gad; Robin & Dwight Allen; Dr. Michelle Ogle; Jane Pinsky; Dr. Marcia Angle & Mark Trustin; Brenda Berlin & Kevin Schulman; Jerry Ellisberg; Haas, McNeil & Associates, P.A.; Lara Swanson; Louise Coggins; Janet Palmquist; Ann Howe; Rep. Linda Coleman; Phyllis West; June Atkinson Read Dr. Wood's recent article in The Washington Post: "When Politics Defeats Science!"
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