Over-the-Counter Morning-After Pill

Re “Crucial Option for Women,” editorial, Dec. 15:

The Times should be applauded for endorsing the over-the-counter sale of emergency contraception, or the so-called morning-after pill. Increased access to emergency contraception would be extremely beneficial to the women of this country who want to avoid an unwanted pregnancy after having unprotected sex, in too many cases because of rape or incest.

And emergency contraception meets all customary Food and Drug Administration requirements for over-the-counter use: It is safe, there is no potential for overdose or addiction, no medical screening is required, the need it fills can be self-diagnosed, the dosage is uniform and it has no important drug interactions.

Contrary to the claims of some extremists, it is not an abortifacient; that is, it does not induce abortion. Emergency contraception prevents the egg from implanting, and it does not interfere with an existing pregnancy. Ironically, extremists who are opposed to emergency contraception are also against abortion, which is the very thing that emergency contraception would reduce the need for.

As the FDA considers this important move, we hope that science wins out over ideology.

Martha Swiller

Acting President, Planned Parenthood L.A.

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Re “Morning-After Pill Sale Urged Over the Counter,” Dec. 17: Recalling the old adage, “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure,” I recommend that instead of making the morning-after pill available as an over-the-counter remedy, we should develop and distribute an afternoon-before pill. Such a pill could be ingested by females, and it would enable them to realize that the grave risks associated with unprotected sex are not limited to an unwanted pregnancy.

Michael J. Allegretti

Chatsworth