Feds Appeal Judge's Plan B Decision

Justice Dept. says he had no right to make it available to all ages
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted May 1, 2013 7:28 PM CDT
Feds Appeal Judge's Plan B Decision
This undated image made available by Teva Women's Health shows the packaging for their Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) tablet.   (Uncredited)

The "Plan B" Iegal fight gets a little more tangled: The Justice Department today said it will appeal a judge's decision lifting all age limits on the birth-control pill and a cheaper generic. The federal government says the judge who issued the ruling exceeded his authority, and it wants his decision suspended while the appeal is underway. It's not clear yet whether the latter will happen. US District Judge Edward Korman of New York had given the FDA until Monday to lift all age limits on Plan B, declaring that emergency contraception be sold just like aspirin.

The FDA hasn't done that, but yesterday it took a lesser step. The agency said anyone 15 or older could begin buying one brand, Plan B One-Step, without a prescription—two years younger than the current age limit of 17. The Justice Department's action today has no bearing on the FDA's decision yesterday. (More Plan B stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X