More Delay on OTC Procurement of Plan B

From the New York Times:
WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 - Federal drug regulators on Friday once again delayed making a decision on allowing over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill, saying they needed more time to gather public reaction to the plan and to figure out how they could enforce it.

The FDA has been delaying and delaying a decision on Plan B despite clearance from its scientific advisory panel. And now it says it will delay for another 2 months for the reasons noted above. Plan B is a contraceptive and not an abortifacient and should prevent unwanted pregnancies to abortion. The pharmacology should be morally satisfactory to all except those who feel that any interruption of the sperm getting to the egg or preventing of fertilization is immoral. As for how to enforce a restriction to purchase by those under the age of 16.,no FDA officer needs to be sitting in each pharmacy. As with those businesses who sell tobacco or alcohol products to the public, screening for those underage for Plan B purchase can be done by the pharmacy personnel.

This whole business sounds like the FDA is further succumbing to politics regarding OTC distribution of Plan B rather than basing the decision on science. Although every governmental decision may have some political significance and fallout, the ethical issue is whether we should be content with decisions made under pressure for the benefit of the politicians versus the betterment of the public. I have a feeling that politics is trumping public good. That is my guess. What is yours? ..Maurice.