Plan B Does Not Cause Abortion, Says FDA

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Plan B Does Not Cause Abortion, Says FDA
1/12/2023 by Carrie N. Baker
Inaccurate language—which resulted from a 2006 compromise between anti-abortion activists and the FDA—has been removed from emergency contraceptive Plan B.



Plan B emergency contraceptive in a drug store in Annapolis, Md., on July 6, 2022. (Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finally changed the labeling of the emergency contraceptive Plan B One-Step, removing an inaccurate statement that the medication may function by blocking a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb. Reproductive health advocates have for years called on the FDA to remove the incorrect language, which has fueled anti-abortion claims that emergency contraception causes abortion. “We are very glad that the FDA acknowledged the very solid science that exists and has existed for several years,” said Kelly Cleland, executive director of the American Society for Emergency Contraception. “I hope this will help to bolster access to emergency contraception and remove some of the barriers to use and access.”

Plan B One-Step’s “drug facts” label has since 2006 stated that the pill might prevent “attachment of a fertilized egg to the uterus.” Numerous studies since then have shown that Plan B does not prevent implantation of a fertilized egg or in any way harm an existing pregnancy, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Instead, the medication works by delaying ovulation and preventing sperm from fertilizing an egg. In FAQs on their website, the FDA clearly states that Plan B One-Step does not cause abortion: “Plan B One-Step will not work if a person is already pregnant, meaning it will not affect an existing pregnancy. Plan B One-Step prevents pregnancy by acting on ovulation, which occurs well before implantation. Evidence does not support that the drug affects implantation or maintenance of a pregnancy after implantation, therefore it does not terminate a pregnancy.” Research shows that close to one-quarter of heterosexually-active, reproductive-age women have used emergency contraception. Increased access to emergency contraception has contributed to decreasing abortion rates.

The inaccurate language resulted from a compromise with anti-abortion science advisers to the FDA when the medication was approved for over-the-counter-sales in 2006. Anti-abortion advocates, who claim that “life” begins at the moment of fertilization, have used the FDA label to justify their belief that emergency contraception causes abortion. “Even if Plan B prevented implantation, it still wouldn’t be an abortifacient because there’s no pregnancy,” said Cleland, who notes the consensus of medical professionals defining pregnancy as beginning at implantation of a fertilized egg in the uterus, which occurs six to 12 days after fertilization. “Now, with this language removed, we can very clearly say that Plan B does not interrupt pregnancy, no matter how you define it. That’s helpful,” said Cleland.

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Since the Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade, reproductive rights advocates fear that lawmakers in red states will now try to ban emergency contraception or even hormonal contraception more generally. “The label change is important because they can no longer cite the FDA as the authoritative source to support this position,” said Cleland.


https://msmagazine.com/2023/01/12/plan-b-cause-abortion-fda-emergency-contraception-morning-after-pill/