Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

[brynndragon]

Plan B now available OTC. . . but only if you're over 18. "There isn't enough scientific evidence that young teens can safely use Plan B without a doctor's supervision," my lilly white ass. There's tons of OTC things that aren't recommended for kids that don't require photo ID to purchase. Why don't they just admit they don't want underage abortions (or rather, they *do* want underage abortions, since Plan B won't be readily available)?

Also, it's unclear from the language if men over 18 could also purchase Plan B or not. Anyone want to test the theory in a few months when it hits the shelves?

Comments

[brewergnome.livejournal.com]

I would

[gothfather.livejournal.com]

I'd do it just for the irony of ME buying Plan B :P

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Excellent! Now I just need to find a supplier in France to get access to RU-486 and I can start my own illicit abortion ring for minors! Muhahaha!

[gothfather.livejournal.com]

Oh you silly thing ... I demand a portion of the profits :P

[mr-teem.livejournal.com]

<snark>
It's not that they want minors to have abortions. It's that they want minors to suffer for daring to have sex before an arbitrary natal day. If they could keep them in cages--well, except for the ones that the boychildren need for their wild oats to be sown--they would.
</snark>

I suspect that there wouldn't be an issue for an adult male to buy any given medicine. After all, you could be buying it for a female friend or partner. (I'd love to go three rounds with a pharmacist on that one if I was refused.) The sold from "behind the counter" thing, though, leads me to suspect that there will more problems with "mysterious" shortages from righteous pharamacists. Not that this doesn't happen already but, if one is trying to get something over-the-counter, one has potentially less leverage than if one has a prescription. Still, it's a step. It wasn't all that long ago when condoms were only sold from behind the counter.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

Yea, I can already see the day when resident hall baskets contain condoms and Plan B (with a note saying that Plan B will likely give you horrible mood swings and cramps from hell so you'll want to try a condom first ;P). Heh.

It's really the photo-ID thing that gives the lie to "insufficient scientific evidence". A hell of a lot of things are sold OTC that say "don't give this to kids without a doctor's approval" (full-strength Prilosec comes to mind) that don't require a photo ID. Hell, even Sudafed can be gotten without an ID even though you need to go to the counter to get it (thank you War on Drugs). No, this is an 11th-hour compromise so the head of the FDA can keep his position without betraying his political allies, nothing more or less. Buddha and Jesus (and a host of others) warned us about the people who are so blinded by righteousness and/or greed that they can't see the suffering they perpetuate in the name of God. . .

[gingerkat.livejournal.com]

It does sound like the ID thing is just an excuse. The only reason that records would ever be checked is if some uptight parent tried to sue us. Or if they were looking for evidence to fire someone.

I personally want it behind the counter due to the nasty side effects and to ensure the person purchasing it knows the importance of the timing of the second dosing. It often makes people vomit, and it may not work if the 2nd dose is not taken correctly. The consequences of not taking this correctly is going to be much worse than if someone skips their Prilosec dose. You'd probably agree if you saw the idiotic things people do when they have instructions on their meds. Just think of the things they do when they have free reign with OTCs. Liver damage isn't uncommon from Tylenol.

Another issue with this being OTC is cost. Many insurance plans cover this now including Mass. Health. After it goes OTC, they won't. It's pretty damn expensive, so I hope that some charitable organizations can assist those who can't afford it.

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

If having nasty side effects and potential for misuse were grounds for any drug that qualified being behind the counter, I'd be all for it. But Plan B gets singled out with a bogus requirement, and that I object to. Also, I thought you could get OTC drugs with a perspecrption under health care plans, e.g. the horse-pill version of ibuprophen I've gotten on occation? Or is it just special formulations? I mean, if women can't afford this out of pocket and can't get it as a perscription they'll end up charging the HMOs a lot more money by having abortions or pregnancies (and in this state at least everyone will have an HMO in a little while), and HMOs are generally slightly better sighted than that (generally and only slightly).

[gingerkat.livejournal.com]

I agree that it is being done for the wrong reasons. The OTC drugs such as ibuprofen are high doses not available OTC and are used with different directions than OTC. You can't buy 600 or 800mg tablets over the counter. Insurance won't pay for the 200mg available OTC.

Some HMO's are better sighted than this, but many are not. I get rejections from various insurance companies for ridiculous reasons that will cost them in the long run on a daily basis. My own insurance plan now will not pay for physicals, but does have coverage for emergency visits. That doesn't really make sense financially in the long run, does it?

Mass health is one of the most difficult to deal with. They do not pay for OTC's period, unless the patient is a child. And then you have to have all sorts of special prior approvals which take tons of paperwork and time to do. I don't see them paying for this, which is sad because these are the people who can't afford meds anyhow.

[doctorellisdee.livejournal.com]

man, let's throw a party where everybody mainlines that shit! wooooo! the floodgates are now open! i'm getting an abortion every weekend!

[benndragon.livejournal.com]

If you get an abortion, I would so watch that. I'd even sell tickets on the internet just for you.