alienjesus wrote:The thing that worries me about this is that people will see it as a viable alternative to condoms. These morning-after pills have a sinificantly lower effectiveness of preventing pregnancy, and obviously do nothing to combat STDs. Whilst I do believe they should be available for all women, I'm not sure I like the idea of them being available over the counter.
I strongly doubt that young woman will intentionally avoid condoms and rely on this pill. What is it about the idea of over-the-counter pill that bothers you? Would you prefer more un-intended births? More abortions? Why are third-parties given the power to decide how a woman handles her own health?
This pill which could offer a huge benefit to young women is hidden away behind a counter and regulations, while crap like sucralose is widely added drinks marketed for toddlers?
While I am pro choice, I could see misuse of this drug as otc. I think prescription forces some education for the woman or girl. I could also see the potential hazard in pregnant women using this past the 'morning after' and causing harm or defects. I admit I don't know the medical technicalities surounding the drug, so I could be way off on the last point.
It is a tough subject and I can see the arguments for both sides...
People also need to take into account the nature of the drug: you are supposed to take it within 72 hours of having unprotected sex if it's going to work. Have you ever had a doctor schedule you for an appointment within 72 hours of when you called?
This isn't the kind of thing you get a prescription for unless you are planning ahead of time, but the people that need it are usually the ones that didn't do much planning. And do we really need more babies born to parents that can't plan? Because that is what we will get as long as this drug is not over-the-counter.
J T wrote:People also need to take into account the nature of the drug: you are supposed to take it within 72 hours of having unprotected sex if it's going to work. Have you ever had a doctor schedule you for an appointment within 72 hours of when you called?
This isn't the kind of thing you get a prescription for unless you are planning ahead of time, but the people that need it are usually the ones that didn't do much planning. And do we really need more babies born to parents that can't plan? Because that is what we will get as long as this drug is not over-the-counter.
Actually yes, I can usually see a doctor the same day I call... I agree with your 2nd paragraph completely.
Zing wrote:I strongly doubt that young woman will intentionally avoid condoms and rely on this pill. What is it about the idea of over-the-counter pill that bothers you? Would you prefer more un-intended births? More abortions? Why are third-parties given the power to decide how a woman handles her own health?
This. The benefits far outweight any possible negative perceptions that, in the end, are better solved by education.
When I was a teenager one of my condoms broke. Were it not for an older brother of my then girlfriend she would have needed to ask for permission to her parents about her very own body (They could also say no and the girl gets pregnant) and then go to the doctor and ask for a prescription.
Nowadays this isn't the case in Spain, post-coital pills are availble over the counter. And nobody stopped using condoms because of it. Not only they are understood as a last-resort resource but compared to the 0.5€ a condom costs it doesn't make too much sense to use 10€ pills every time you want to fuck. Specially if you are a teenager.
EDIT: +1 to what JT was saying
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J T wrote:People also need to take into account the nature of the drug: you are supposed to take it within 72 hours of having unprotected sex if it's going to work. Have you ever had a doctor schedule you for an appointment within 72 hours of when you called?
This isn't the kind of thing you get a prescription for unless you are planning ahead of time, but the people that need it are usually the ones that didn't do much planning. And do we really need more babies born to parents that can't plan? Because that is what we will get as long as this drug is not over-the-counter.
Girls here can obtain this at special clinics, pharmancies or youth groups should they need it, but it's not displayed on shelves. They don't need a prescription for it, but it does require they ask for it at the counter and fill out a questionnaire about the situation.
Jmustang1968 wrote:While I am pro choice, I could see misuse of this drug as otc. I think prescription forces some education for the woman or girl. I could also see the potential hazard in pregnant women using this past the 'morning after' and causing harm or defects. I admit I don't know the medical technicalities surounding the drug, so I could be way off on the last point.
It is a tough subject and I can see the arguments for both sides...
There is no risk to the fetus if the drug is taken too late, so that's not an issue. And again, for anyone 17 and older you can already get it without a prescription in the US. This would mean that the younger women, who would be more scared of going to their parents, would have access to it and not have to deal with a pregnancy in their formative years.
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Jmustang1968 wrote:While I am pro choice, I could see misuse of this drug as otc. I think prescription forces some education for the woman or girl. I could also see the potential hazard in pregnant women using this past the 'morning after' and causing harm or defects. I admit I don't know the medical technicalities surounding the drug, so I could be way off on the last point.
It is a tough subject and I can see the arguments for both sides...
There is no risk to the fetus if the drug is taken too late, so that's not an issue. And again, for anyone 17 and older you can already get it without a prescription in the US. This would mean that the younger women, who would be more scared of going to their parents, would have access to it and not have to deal with a pregnancy in their formative years.
Ah, if there were no risks, than I have no problem with this being otc.
Jmustang1968 wrote:While I am pro choice, I could see misuse of this drug as otc. I think prescription forces some education for the woman or girl. I could also see the potential hazard in pregnant women using this past the 'morning after' and causing harm or defects. I admit I don't know the medical technicalities surounding the drug, so I could be way off on the last point.
It is a tough subject and I can see the arguments for both sides...
There is no risk to the fetus if the drug is taken too late, so that's not an issue. And again, for anyone 17 and older you can already get it without a prescription in the US. This would mean that the younger women, who would be more scared of going to their parents, would have access to it and not have to deal with a pregnancy in their formative years.
Ah, if there were no risks, than I have no problem with this being otc.
So since there are risks with taking Tylenol and Advil, does that mean that should be prescription only too?
There are varying degrees of risk and potential abuse. Thus the reason we have a prescription system in the first place. If a risk of a girl taking the drug too late would be birth defects the child would have to live with its entire life, then it would be something that needed further consideration. Another straw man argument...
