Morning-after pill approved for over-the-counter sales

Canada has approved the Morning-after pill for over-the-counter sales.

I think this is an absolutely fabulous step for women and I am celebrating.

**Do remember, that this pill does NOT terminate pregnancy.**

“Women just don't want to or be forced to discuss their personal lives with a pharmacist," said Metge who is happy that the last of the barriers to women purchasing or using the drug have been knocked down. "They want to be able to take charge of their own lives.   They should be able to get the pill because it is for an emergency.   It's the last chance women have to prevent an unwanted pregnancy.  There's no reason not to do this since the pill is so safe and effective."

http://www.canada.com/topics/bodyandhealth/story.html?id=eb9a322c-0b86-414c-8a28-a21d22c8c6a3

There are a few facts on this pill, about ½ way down this page.

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_22787.aspx

That's good news for Canada!    Maybe sooner than later for the US - who knows?

"""""Canada becomes the fifth country in the world to agree to allow Plan B to be sold as an over-the-counter product. Other countries where the drug is sold this way are Norway, the Netherlands, Sweden and India."""""

Why do I have mixed feelings about this?

ReneeC___NCalif:

Why do I have mixed feelings about this?

Now if they could only come up with a 17 YEAR after pill, now THERE would be a discovery let me tell ya!

Anyone in the world can purchase it when in Canada.

I understand those with mixed feelings – at least I hope I do.

But for me .... the part below helped me a lot …. especially the latter.

“WHAT DOES IT DO? The drug either temporarily stops the release of an egg from the ovary, prevents fertilization or prevents a fertilized egg from attaching to the uterus, depending on when in the process it is started.
  
WHAT DOESN'T IT DO? Plan B isn't an abortion pill. It will not terminate an established pregnancy.”

sstetzel:   Oh my .... you did make me laugh ... in fact I just read this to my husband and he is collapsing in guffaws   

 About time.  NO mixed feelings here.  I think any women should be able to go to a drug store and purchase them WITHOUT  Pharacist refuseing to sell becouse of his or her religion. 

  I'am sure the teen preg statistics would go down drastically.   I don't think it will be long now before the U.S. is next.  They have had them avail in Europe now for a very long time.

                                       Cassiebabe

liamh:

Morning-after pill approved for over-the-counter sales.

If only the US Theocracy wasn't waging a concerted War on Women, we too might be free to manage our own ova and womb... much as we do with giant man-pleasing boobs.

sstetzel:

Now if they could only come up with a 17 YEAR after pill, now THERE would be a discovery let me tell ya!

I'd buy some of that. Make mine a 16 year after,please.

Now if they could only come up with a 17 YEAR after pill, now THERE would be a discovery let me tell ya!

************************************ Now, THAT is FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!*********************

I`m also curious as to anybody here who might be against this...how they would feel about a pill that does not in ANY way induce abortion, cause abortion, etc etc.... this pill DOES prevent the egg from ovulating. I live in Canada and feel that is another way of empowering women, letting them control thier bodies!

donnac

I'm glad you thought it was funny, after I hit post my internal filter kicked in & wondered if I'd offend someone.  My filter is alittle delayed sometimes.

On a serious note, I think this pill is great thing for that one time mistake, BUT, I can see a certain group of women relying on this as a sort of half-assed birth control.  THAT is where the mistake comes in.  However, this country is notorious for over using and mis using drugs.  That may be why you won't see it OTC here.

Have an awesome day!

feel that is another way of empowering women, letting them control thier bodies!

The menfolk won't like that! Why, next thing you know, they'll be refusing their husbands sex or ::gasp:: making decisions by themselves!

::sarcasm detected::

I think the approval of this pill is a step in the right direction.

sstetzel: 

I certainly understand this ……

I read up a bit ---- and found that the government discovered the percentage of the following happening is VERY large (see below in italics) ….. thus after much deliberation ….. it was approved. 

The drug can be used

to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex,

after sex during which a condom broke,

slipped or was misused or a diaphragm dislodged

We could get it since 2005, but you had to first visit your doctor, and next take your script to the pharmacist.  Thus, with enough 'holding up the patient'.... the purchase would be worthless, but not now.

The cost in Canada is $30.00 per dose, and meds in Canada overall, are vastly less in cost than the same item sold in the US.  So the cost would most probably be a deterrent to many in the US.

Anyway – it is a very positive step for women …

And also to let posters know – in case anything untoward happens to .......