The director of the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health, Susan Wood, resigned Wednesday over the agency’s decision to postpone indefinitely a ruling on whether to allow the sale of the morning-after pill to be sold without a prescription. The pill, used as an emergency contraceptive device, was deemed safe and recommended for OTC sale, by the agency’s scientific staff.
“I can no longer serve as staff when scientific and clinical evidence, fully evaluated and recommended for approval by the professional staff here, has been overruled,” wrote Wood in an email announcing her resignation.
Notwithstanding the product’s ability to reduced unwanted pregnancies as well as reduce abortions, right wing groups have been opposed to granting the morning after pill OTC status. No doubt this is the reason for Bush administration’s decision, one of a disturbing increasing numbers.