Spring Break
Contraception available within limits
Lena Glover
Issue date: 4/3/08 Section: OPINION
On Aug. 24, 2006, the FDA approved over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptive for adult women, but kept the prescription requirement for teens younger than 18.
EC is extremely time-sensitive - it must be taken within 120 hours after unprotected sex to be effective. This was a necessary gain for women. Now we don't have to go through spending time and money to see a doctor to have it prescribed.
During the first year on the market as an OTC product, the pharmaceutical manufacturer reported a large increase in sales of EC to women.
Clearly, women want timely access to EC and benefit from being able to back up their birth control with this medication. But EC is expensive, usually about $40-$60. This, combined with the age restriction and ID requirement, leaves some women out of the expansion in EC access.
Those under the age of 18 must still waste precious time by seeking a prescription from their provider, and those who don't have money are forced to make decisions about foregoing basic needs to come up with it.
On top of this, starting in mid-2007, many college health centers and safety-net family planning clinics had to drastically increase the cost of regular birth control methods because of a provision in the Deficit Reduction Act passed in 2005 that eliminated discounts on birth control for these clinics. This means that the 4 million college-age women across America and the low-income women who rely on the 400 safety-net family planning clinics may need to rely on EC to back up their regular birth control now more than ever before. This makes the barriers to these women accessing EC even more serious.
You have the right to inaccessible reproductive rights. Anything you do or say to make them accessible can and may make a difference. Back up your birth control by being prepared and getting EC before the time comes when you might need it.
Lena Glover is a Rockwall senior majoring in sociology. She may be reached at lenaglover@gmail.com.
EC is extremely time-sensitive - it must be taken within 120 hours after unprotected sex to be effective. This was a necessary gain for women. Now we don't have to go through spending time and money to see a doctor to have it prescribed.
During the first year on the market as an OTC product, the pharmaceutical manufacturer reported a large increase in sales of EC to women.
Clearly, women want timely access to EC and benefit from being able to back up their birth control with this medication. But EC is expensive, usually about $40-$60. This, combined with the age restriction and ID requirement, leaves some women out of the expansion in EC access.
Those under the age of 18 must still waste precious time by seeking a prescription from their provider, and those who don't have money are forced to make decisions about foregoing basic needs to come up with it.
On top of this, starting in mid-2007, many college health centers and safety-net family planning clinics had to drastically increase the cost of regular birth control methods because of a provision in the Deficit Reduction Act passed in 2005 that eliminated discounts on birth control for these clinics. This means that the 4 million college-age women across America and the low-income women who rely on the 400 safety-net family planning clinics may need to rely on EC to back up their regular birth control now more than ever before. This makes the barriers to these women accessing EC even more serious.
You have the right to inaccessible reproductive rights. Anything you do or say to make them accessible can and may make a difference. Back up your birth control by being prepared and getting EC before the time comes when you might need it.
Lena Glover is a Rockwall senior majoring in sociology. She may be reached at lenaglover@gmail.com.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 5
John Bobcat
posted 4/03/08 @ 10:16 AM CST
I think that it's a good idea for girls under 18 have to receive a prescription for EC. Last time I checked, if you are under 18 you are considered a minor and your parents or legal guardian has the right to know what medications you are taking. (Continued…)
Andy
posted 4/03/08 @ 2:54 PM CST
A "right?"
Oh, brother. Take some poli sci classes and then get back to me on whether or not medication is a right or not.
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