ACOG Backs Advance Prescription Of Emergency Contraception Pills.

CHICAGO -- Gynecologists should offer advance prescriptions for emergency contraceptive pills to all their patients in an effort to stem the tide of unplanned pregnancies in this country, said Dr. Thomas Purdon, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

"The best possible solution of all is to have emergency contraception available over the counter, but we can't wait for this to happen," Dr. Purdon said during a press conference held at AGOG's annual meeting.

The Food and Drug Administration cannot consider making a drug available over the counter until such a request is filed by the drug's manufacturer. The manufacturers of both of the FDA-approved emergency contraception products, Preven and Plan B, have not yet completed their over-the-counter applications, according to Dr. Purdon, vice chair of the department of ob.gyn. at the University of Arizona in Tucson.

"I think making these products available over the counter would make it perfectly clear to everyone in America how very safe this medicine is. But ... between now and when it becomes available over the counter, we can make women aware of this when they are in our offices, so that when it does become available they will know to go out and look for it," added Dr. Anita Nelson, professor of ob.gyn. at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Dr. Purdon estimated that by issuing advance emergency contraception prescriptions, physicians could reduce by half the 3 million unintended pregnancies that occur each year.

The ...