after pill for all
The ruling by US District Judge Edward Korman of New York means consumers of any age could buy emergency contraception without a prescription instead of women first having to prove they're 17 or older.
And it could allow Plan B OneStep, also known as the morningafter pill, to move out from behind pharmacy counters to the store counters .
It's the latest twist in a decadelong push for easier access to emergency contraception , which can prevent pregnancy if taken soon enough after unprotected sex .
The Food and Drug Administration was actually preparing to lift all age limits on Plan B OneStep in late 2011 when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, in an unprecedented move , overruled her own scientists .
Sebelius said some girls as young as 11 are physically capable of bearing children but shouldn't be able to buy the pregnancypreventing pill on their own.
President Barack Obama said he supported the decision , also citing concern for young girls.
That move shocked women's groups and in his ruling, Korman blasted Sebelius for what he called an "obviously political" decision.
"This case is not about the potential misuse of Plan B by 11yearolds ," Korman wrote , saying the number of young girls using such drugs "is likely to be minuscule" .
Yet the sales restrictions are making it hard for women of all ages to buy the pills, especially young and lowincome ones, he said .
Moreover , Korman noted that numerous overthecounter drugs are dangerous for children , but are still sold nevertheless without age requirements , while "these emergency contraceptives would be among the safest drugs sold overthecounter".
"It has been clear for a long time that the medical and scientific community think this should be fully over the counter and is safe for women of all ages to use ," said Dr Susan Wood, who resigned as FDA's women's health chief in 2005 to protest Bush administration footdragging over Plan B .Related：
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