2008 Woodie Awards
Pharmacists refuse to fill prescriptions for birth control pills and emergency contraceptives
Jillian McKnight ; U-WIRE (DC BUREAU)
Issue date: 4/13/05 Section: News
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Several universities throughout the country have recently included contraception in their student health plans, including the University of Delaware and New York University. An informal survey of 100 major colleges and universities by Voices for Planned Parenthood found 53 percent offered prescription drug coverage but not birth control coverage.
The Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing a second application by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Plan B, an emergency contraceptive pill, to sell the medication over the counter. In December of 2003, the FDA's advisory panel voted overwhelmingly, 24-3, in favor of selling the drug over the counter. FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford, citing that some participants in the study were under the age of 16, then denied the application.
In April of 2003, James Madison University Board of Visitors voted to ban the sale of emergency contraceptive at the health center after receiving a letter from Virginia State Delegate Robert G. Marshall (R-Va.). Marshall, an anti-abortion activist, has been the force behind anti-choice legislation in the state Legislature. The university's trustees later overturned their initial vote after several months of student and administration protest. Health related decisions are no longer under the authority of the university's trustees.
"Access to contraception on college campuses is a big issue for us," said Vogelstein, who works closely with law students around the country.
The National Women's Law Center has also had success in getting college campuses to ensure access to contraception. About a year ago the National Women's Law Center started the Pharmacy Refusal Project, which works for legislation to protect women's health through public education and aiding state and federal advocates.
The Food and Drug Administration is currently reviewing a second application by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, the makers of Plan B, an emergency contraceptive pill, to sell the medication over the counter. In December of 2003, the FDA's advisory panel voted overwhelmingly, 24-3, in favor of selling the drug over the counter. FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford, citing that some participants in the study were under the age of 16, then denied the application.
In April of 2003, James Madison University Board of Visitors voted to ban the sale of emergency contraceptive at the health center after receiving a letter from Virginia State Delegate Robert G. Marshall (R-Va.). Marshall, an anti-abortion activist, has been the force behind anti-choice legislation in the state Legislature. The university's trustees later overturned their initial vote after several months of student and administration protest. Health related decisions are no longer under the authority of the university's trustees.
"Access to contraception on college campuses is a big issue for us," said Vogelstein, who works closely with law students around the country.
The National Women's Law Center has also had success in getting college campuses to ensure access to contraception. About a year ago the National Women's Law Center started the Pharmacy Refusal Project, which works for legislation to protect women's health through public education and aiding state and federal advocates.