Plan B authorized for over-the-counter sale by the FDA

From CWNews:

Washington, Aug. 24 (CWNews.com) - The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized over-the-counter sale of the "morning-after" pill, with the proviso that non-prescription sales of the drug known as "Plan B" will be limited to consumers over the age of 18.

The FDA decision, coming after months of heated debate, is a severe setback for pro-life activists in Washington. Judie Brown, president of American Life League, remarked that she was "overwhelmingly disappointed" with the announcement.
"Even more troubling," Brown observed, "is the fact that President Bush most likely helped to speed this approval with his recent comments suggesting that prescription sales were only necessary for women under 18." At an August 21 press conference the President had said that Plan B "ought to require a prescription for minors."

“Let there be no mistake about it," said Father Thomas Euteneuer, the president of Human Life International; "today’s decision lies at the feet of President Bush and has created a lasting rift with the Catholic faithful who compromise a large part of his support base. His statements at this past Monday’s press conference in support of over-the-counter sales set the stage for this morning's decision."

A year ago, the FDA had declined to authorized non-prescription sale of the abortifacient drug, in spite of heavy political pressure. But in late July, the President's new nominee as FDA commissioner, Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach, announced that the decision was under review. That announcement-- which came the day before the FDA nominee was due to face Senate confirmation hearings-- led to a general expectation that the FDA would authorize over-the-counter sales.

As I reported before, Plan B is most certainly abortifacient and so Bush's approval of its distribution has everyone scratching their heads. He opposed the hugely popular embryonic stem cell research bills and yet caved-in on this proposal. What gives?!