USCCB attorney opposes over-the-counter sales of morning-after pill

Published: 2005-10-28

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- Approval of over-the-counter sales of the morning-after pill known as Plan B "would be injurious to many -- children and adults, as well as health care providers and professionals," the U.S. bishops' top attorney said in comments to the Food and Drug Administration. Mark E. Chopko, general counsel of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said in an Oct. 27 letter to the FDA that even if the federal agency were to approve over-the-counter sales of the "emergency contraception" pill only to adults, it could not guarantee that minors would not obtain the pill, to the possible detriment of their health. Chopko was responding to an FDA request for public comment on its pending decision on a petition from Barr Laboratories, the maker of Plan B, to permit both prescription and over-the-counter sales.

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