The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decision to defer a ruling to allow over-the-counter (OTC) sales of the emergency contraception drug Plan B has generated debate over the agency’s independence from political pressure. But opponents of broader access to the so-called morning-after pill often cite safety issues as a primary concern. They say there is no research in adolescents showing safety of the treatment, which consists of high doses of the hormone progestin. Some opponents say use of the pills leads to higher incidence of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and promiscuous behavior, which can carry its own dangers. A Swedish study published in 2002 reported that STIs were on the rise among adolescents who had OTC access to emergency contraception and other forms of contraception.
