MedPol: Women still have a chance in a few places
The Governor of Illinois approved an emergency rule requiring that pharmacies fill birth control prescriptions quickly and the New Hampshire Senate approved a bill offering emergency contraception over the counter with no age limit.
And some the most beautiful quotes from the latter story:
Sen. Robert Boyce argued the bill would promote a “Sex in the City” lifestyle, referring to the popular television program.
“This is saying there is no consequence for sex,” said Boyce, R-Alton. “One of the consequences is conception. One of the consequences is disease.”
Boyce said people must see doctors to get prescriptions for drugs for diseases. He gave strep throat as an example, which drew a response from Sen. Maggie Hassan.
“With all due respect Senator Boyce, an unintended pregnancy is not the same thing as strep throat,” said Hassan, D-Exeter.
“I do not believe the punishment for youthful indiscretion for unguarded sex is to force young women to have an abortion or unwanted pregnancy,” said Hassan.
“The amendment [proposed by Republicans to limit the sale only to those over 18] supposes only women 18 and older might need this in an emergency,” Senate Democratic Leader Sylvia Larsen said. “I’d like to live in a world where that’s true.”
6 comments:
Okay, so all of these states have passed this legislation but is this symbolic or real? Are pharmacists listening to the FDA or the state legislature?
I think most people find themselves listening to criminal charges.
These things are covered by state law (not the FDA), so this should hold. At least until DeLay decides that he doesn't like state and judicial autonomy and passes a bill to rectify that...
State law? The states can't make a prescription drug available over the counter without federal approval, just like a state law can't bring back thalidomide.
The FDC decides what is legal and illegal to sell/provide. HOW those drugs and procedures are provided is up to the states to regulate. Thus, for 2nd trimester abortions, states can pass laws which severely limit them, or prevent doctors from required to provide information. In this case, it's an issue over the access, so it should be state law.
It would take much more than that for me to reap the benefits of someone's Sex in the City lifestyle.
S'all I'm sayin.'
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