The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists have taken a new public position on contraceptives. These experts say birth-control pills should be sold over the counter, without a prescription:
Easier access to OCs should help lower the nation’s high unintended pregnancy rate, a rate that has not changed over the past 20 years and costs taxpayers an estimated $11.1 billion annually.
Cost, access, and convenience issues are common reasons why women do not use contraception or use it inconsistently. There are no OCs currently approved for OTC access, but The College believes OTC availability will improve women’s access to and usage of contraception. The benefits of making OCs easily accessible OTC outweigh the risks, says The College.
Even though no drug is risk-free, the overall consensus is that OCs are safe. There is a risk of blood clots with OC use, but it is extremely low and significantly lower than the risk of blood clots during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The College points out that aspirin and acetaminophen are both available OTC even though they have well-known health risks [American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, "Ob-Gyns Want the Pill Available OTC," press release, 2012.11.20].
Augustana English prof Darcie Rives-East agrees:
To make birth control affordable and accessible to all women of all classes is really crucial.... One of the problems that might prevent women from gaining access to birth control could be access to doctors themselves, the money it might take to get to doctors, maybe even issues of not feeling comfortable being with doctors at a medical establishment.
If it were offered over the counter, I think it might be a way for women to have more access ... they might be working for a company or organization that will refuse to help them get contraceptive care [Darcie Rives-East, quoted in "Getting the Bill over the Counter," that Sioux Falls paper, 2012.11.20].
That Sioux Falls paper finds two local health professionals of differing opinions. One doctor says she's cool with over-the-counter birth-control pills:
Dr. Ashley Briggs, an obstetrician at Sanford Hospital, said she supports ACOG’s recommendation because unintended pregnancies are more of a threat to women’s health than oral birth controls.
“No drug is completely without risk, so you always have to weigh the relative risk verses the relative benefits of a medication and the consensus is that most birth control pills are safe for women,” she said ["Getting the Bill over the Counter," that Sioux Falls paper, 2012.11.20].
A local pharmacist prefers doctor involvement:
Cheri Kraemer, pharmacist and owner of Pharmacy Specialties in southwest Sioux Falls, said she wouldn’t feel comfortable providing birth control to patients and customers who haven’t been advised first by a physician and thinks it’s naïve to compare condoms to other contraceptive practices.
“I can’t compare (birth control) to condoms because condoms aren’t inert,” she said. “The estrogen is so much stronger than what your body produces. How are people going to pick which birth control to use? You need the guidance of a physician to help women decide” ["Getting the Bill over the Counter," that Sioux Falls paper, 2012.11.20].
Women face a pretty basic access issue. If we agree that women deserve to control their reproduction (and believe it or not, not everyone in South Dakota does agree with that principle), they need affordable and timely access to birth control. Every drug has its risks, but the ACOG apparently has enough research to show that over-the-counter access to birth control is a net plus.
Now for the other shoe to drop: But what about over-the-counter access to ED meds?
House earth haters prepared to vote on repeal of ACA again:
http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/11/gop-anti-obamacare-crusade.php?ref=fpa
While for most in the general population, birth control pills do not have significant health risks. However, for those with other health challenges or circumstances, there is increased risk of cancer, blood clots, or other problems when combined with other drugs. Just this year, the FDA announced increased labelling requirements with regard to risks as well as issued directives to Drs. with regard to circumstances to consider when prescribing birth control.
I know you have political agenda to make contraception universally accessible and free but are you really willing to suggest access without being informed by a Dr. of the health risks or even refuse to issue a prescription (as recently advised by the FDA) under certain circumstances? This from the crowd who wants to ban large sodas?
In the near future, we will probably have genetic mapping information which will be able to determine with greater precision the specific women whose cancer and blood clot risks make hormonal birth control pills highly risky.
The white Christofascists are scared: their numbers are falling and see cultural diversity as a threat. It’s their version of climate change: the faster you try to stem it, the faster it accelerates.
Just for fun, a cartoon on the subject:
http://www.slowpokecomics.com/strips/freepills.html
I wonder if making them an "over the counter" purchase eliminates their being covered by health insurance policies. (i.e they are no longer "perscription drugs." Any info on that aspect, Cory? (Sorry, didn't read the links yet. Perhaps it's mentioned there?)
The utopian New Agers want to worship sex and have population control at the same time. They also say that God's plans can go to hell, but they won't. Instead...
More on anorgasmia and why Sibby's wife is afflicted:
http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/orgasm-disorder-women-subject-new-study
Bill,
You are right, never had a health care plan that paid for over the counter drugs. Even my DOD medical plan does not pay for over the counter even with a prescription. The new health care law does not pay for over the counter drugs and will not allow you to use a health spending account to buy over the counter drugs, at least my understanding. The Republican war on woman continues.
Why rich people want to raise SS age:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/11/21/why-rich-guys-want-to-raise-the-retirement-age/
Hmmm, Doctor's support this over the counter but phamacists do not. I am trying to figure why that could be? I think I know.
Of course, I am but a man in this discussion and for what it is worth, I think that this would be a great idea! Women already know the brand that they prefer and they will still see their doctor's on regular visits. Women are smart enough to know if there is a change in their health as well and will usually address this promptly. This will also save money and saving money is always a good thing.
Bill brings up a good point on whether insurance would cover the OTC costs.
With so many young women making less than enough to live on, this would be a step back for them if they are already covered by insurance under Obamacare. The OTC cost could be a deterrent.
I think we can all agree that unwanted pregnancies are....well...unwanted and expensive.
I think we all can also agree that the cost of an unwanted pregnancy on the family, the employer, insurance companies and the taxpayer are significant.
I'm also guessing that unwanted pregnancies are also large factor in the demand for abortions. Get rid of unwanted pregnancies and all you are left with is in the case of rape, incest and the health of the mother.
Those that have the choice to reject that, on the basis of their religion, still have that choice.
So how best do we avoid unwanted pregnancies? (For those that ascribe to the aspirin between the legs method...it has been proven ineffective for generations, so I think it's safe to say we can rule that one out.)
Provide Norplant at minimum or no cost through private groups such as Planned Parenthood? Treat family planning as preventative care and have it covered under Obamacare the same as a mammogram, blood pressure, cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, immunizations for children or colorectal cancer?
I think if we ask the right questions and agree on the desired outcomes, we can find the right solution and at the same time, continue to give people the right to make their own choices regarding their health.
PS: Sibby, if you choose not to have any, or all of the above...good for you...you are a big boy and you can make that choice.
PPS: I think you might be projecting a little on the worshipping sex piece. I've seen that happen before with some that choose to live on the extremes.
And then there is this headline. "Major Pediatric Group Throws Support Behind Emergency Contraception For Teens"
"Emergency contraception should be available, and it should be available over the counter," Dr. Cora Collette Breuner, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Washington School of Medicine, told HuffPost. "Education should be provided in the pediatrician's office ..."
"As pediatricians, our job is to help make sure adolescents have healthy, productive lives with families that they plan," she said. "Our job is to [explain] that there are options out there. Knowledge is power."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/26/emergency-contraception_n_2171289.html
Since 2009, abortions are at a all time modern low and teen pregnancies are on the decline.
So the GOP response...get rid of Planned Parenthood...cuz that makes sense?