Editorials on morning-after pill.

The following editorial appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Thursday, Dec. 18:

NOW, THE CASE FOR PLAN B

When a federal advisory panel recommended to the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday that the so-called morning-after pill to prevent unintended pregnancies be sold over the counter, the reaction ran the gamut from elation to alarm.

Supporters said access to the pills would empower teen-agers and young women by giving them another way, short of abortion, to prevent unintended pregnancies. Opponents said the pills could have disastrous consequences for teens and serious consequences for women who do not take them properly.

Both sides make good cases, but we think those who support over-the-counter use make the more compelling argument. The two FDA advisory committees, composed of experts in a variety of medical fields, including pediatrics, overwhelmingly reached the same conclusion _ the vote of the committees was 24-3 for over-the-counter use.

The concerns of opponents are legitimate. Any drug can be abused, especially by teens; often, they lack the maturity to connect the dots between actions and consequences. But we think the concerns can be adequately addressed. The final decision, expected by mid-February, will be left to FDA Commissioner Mark McClellan. We think he should support the over-the-counter sale, with some stipulations.

The drug's safety is not at issue. The FDA approved the first morning-after pill in 1998, and it has been used by millions of women, with minor side effects. The pill does not induce abortion; it delays ovulation and…