F.D.A. Allows New Contraceptive Pill

FDA approves a new type of emergency contraceptive pill designed to prevent pregnancies up to five days after intercourse.

The United States Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved Friday a new type of emergency contraceptive pill designed to prevent pregnancies up to five days after intercourse.

The new pill “Ella”, a prescription drug, was developed by government researchers and is said to be more effective than “Plan B” the over-the-counter and morning-after pill for women 17 and up.

“Plan B” loses its effect slowly every day and can only be effective up to three days from sex, while “Ella” is as effective as the first day and up to five days from sexual intercourse.

Unprotected sex can cause pregnancy in about 1 out of 20 women. “Plan B” reduces the risk to 1 in 40, while “Ella” further cuts the risk to about 1 in 50, the FDA said.

The same study shows that “Ella”, however, is less effective in obese women.

Contraceptive pill use has been one of the issues in the larger debate over abortion. Anti-abortion groups have denounced the new pill’s approval while abortion rights activists have welcomed the decision.

Some studies have showed that women fail to recognize their risk of unwanted pregnancy because of unprotected sex, and are unwilling to take the pills even if they are given away free.

“Emergency contraception has no effect on pregnancy rates or abortion rates,” said Dr. James Trussel, director of Princeton University’s Office of Population Research and research consultant. “Women just don’t use them enough to make an impact.”

The FDA’s relatively fast approval for “Ella” is seen as a change from previous approval times, such as during the term of President George W. Bush, when the White House overruled FDA scientists and prevented the availability and distribution of “Plan B” to women 17 and below.

Posted by George Daniels on Sunday August 15 2010, 11:59 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Featured News, Health. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0