April 5 , 2013
by: ASRM Office of Public Affairs
Published in ASRM Press Release
Statement attributable to Linda C. Giudice, MD, PhD, President, American Society for Reproductive Medicine
Washington, DC — “We are pleased with Judge Korman’s decision ordering FDA to lift its restrictions on access to emergency contraceptives. Restricting over-the-counter access by age has historically been a political decision. We agree with the court that these decisions need to be based on science, not politics. In the field of reproductive medicine, politicians too often seek to substitute their judgment for that of physicians and their patients or the scientific evidence. This results in bad medicine and bad policy. Today’s decision tells the Federal Government that science should guide policy, and we applaud that stance.”
Background:
U.S. District Court Judge Edward Korman has ordered the FDA to make levonorgestrel-based emergency contraception available over-the-counter without age or point of sale restriction. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius had used her power as Secretary to overturn a recommendation from FDA to remove the age restriction. The court’s decision can be read here: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/files/2013/04/Tummino-SJ-memo.pdf.
The order was issued in response to a suit brought by the Center for Reproductive Rights. See http://reproductiverights.org/en/press-room/federal-judge-orders-fda-to-broaden-access-to-emergency-contraception for more information.
The American Society for Reproductive Medicine, founded in 1944, is an organization of more than 7,000 physicians, researchers, nurses, technicians and other professionals dedicated to advancing knowledge and expertise in reproductive biology. Affiliated societies include the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology, the Society for Male Reproduction and Urology, the Society for Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, the Society of Reproductive Surgeons and the Society of Reproductive Biologists and Technologists.