Pacific Views

What a difference a border makes.

If you're a woman in need of emergency contraception (commonly called the 'morning after pill' or 'Plan B'), it makes a huge difference whether you're in the US or Canada.

Emergency contraception uses a larger dose of the same hormones found in birth control pills to end a pregnancy. However, the pill must be taken within 72 hours of intercourse for it to be effective. In the US, the FDA has bowed to right-wing pressure and keep kept emergency contraception available by prescription only. But on the other side of the border, the Canadian government is moving to make it easier for women to obtain the 'morning after pill.'

Women in both the US and Canada have complained that it's difficult to get prescriptions for the 'morning after pill' on weekends and holidays, which can make it hard to take the pill within the 72-hour limit. Proposed changes to Canada's drug regulations will ease this situation some. Under the new rules, women would be able to buy the 'morning after pill' without a prescription across the country (as is already the case in three provinces). However, the pill would still have to be sold by a pharmacist, rather than over the counter.

The proposed changes are generally getting good reviews from women's health activists:

“I think it's good news for Canadian women, I think anything that helps to reduce the barriers to access is a good thing," said Hazelle Palmer, executive director at Planned Parenthood of Toronto.

"Sometimes women have to deal with bias and judgment around their use of contraception," she said, explaining the amendment would allow women "to make that decision for themselves".

“The emergency contraceptive has been controversial because it's been mixed up quite erroneously with the abortion pill,” Ms. Palmer said. "It's not an abortion pill, it's a way for a woman to avoid an unwanted pregnancy if she has had unprotected sex or if she has been a victim of sexual assault."

Others, however, think that Canada's proposed new rules don't go far enough:

Some women's health advocates are disappointed the drug won't be available over-the-counter like cold remedies.

"There are still barriers to a woman having access to the drug if she has to go through a pharmacist to have it," said Abby Lippman, co-chair of the Canadian Women's Health Network.

The new Canadian rules will be formally proposed on May 22, and should go into effect after a 75 day consultation period.

Via CBC and Globe & Mail.

Posted by Magpie at May 19, 2004 07:18 AM | Canada | Technorati links |