Women and Health Protection (WHP) and the Canadian Women's Health Network (CWHN) want access to emergency contraception to be improved!
>From Canadian Newswire Group:
Health Canada Gives Canadian Women a Plan B
Plan B "Morning After Pill" Now Available Without a Prescription
TORONTO, April 20 /CNW/ - In a progressive move, Health Canada today
confirmed that Plan B, a safe and effective "morning after pill" has
officially been approved for use without a prescription in Canada, a
decision that is supported by 70 per cent of Canadians and every leading
medical organization in the country.
The decision means Canadian women now have full and immediate access
to Plan B, a safe and effective "morning after pill" that is 95 per cent
effective in preventing unintended pregnancy if taken within 24 hours of
unprotected sex. Plan B is 85 per cent effective in preventing pregnancy
if taken within 72 hours - but has no impact on an already established
pregnancy. Plan B is distributed in Canada by Paladin Labs Inc.
Landmark Day for Canadian Women
"This is a landmark day for Canadian women who now have immediate
access to Plan B, a safe and effective morning after pill that has been
used by millions of women in more than 100 countries around the world to
prevent unintended pregnancy," says Jonathan Ross Goodman, President and
CEO of Paladin Labs Inc.
A May 2004 survey by Leger & Leger shows that 70 per cent of
Canadians and 81 per cent of Quebecers agreed that Plan B should be made
available without a prescription, as is the case in more than 30 other
countries including the UK and France. Nationally, 80 per cent of 18-24
year olds approved of Plan B being made available without a
prescription.
The move is supported by leading Canadian medical authorities
including: the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada,
the Canadian Medical Association, Planned Parenthood Federation of
Canada, the Canadian Pharmacists Association, the College of Physicians
and Surgeons, the Federation of Medical Women of Canada, the Canadian
Women's Health Network, and the Canadian Nurses Association.
Equalizing Access for Canadian Women
"Timely access to an emergency contraceptive is important to ensure
effectiveness. Being able to obtain Plan B from pharmacists will
increase access for many women who do not have timely access to a
doctor," says Linda Capperauld of Planned Parenthood Federation of
Canada, adding that education and awareness are also crucial in the
prevention of unintended pregnancy in Canada.
"Today's decision equalizes access to emergency contraceptives to
women across Canada," confirms Dr. Andre Lalonde, Executive
Vice-President of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of
Canada. "Due to the nature of emergency contraception, it needs to be
taken as soon as possible, within a maximum of 72 hours after
unprotected intercourse. Better access and greater knowledge and use of
emergency contraception could significantly reduce the incidence of
unintended pregnancy in Canada."
Plan B Provides Emergency Back-Up to Birth Control
The two most common cited reasons for use in Canada, and around the
world, include condom failure and forgetting to take a daily birth
control pill. Plan B is available in most Canadian pharmacies at a cost
of approximately $25. The treatment consists of two small pills that
each contain .75 mg of levonorgestrel, slightly more hormone than a
daily birth control pill. Plan B is also available in some health
centres (CLSCs in Quebec).
For further information: To book interviews, request visuals and
background information, please contact: Deb Quinn or David Weinstein at
Strategic Objectives, TEL: (416) 366-7735 x236, TOLL FREE:
1-866-366-7733,
E-mail: dquinn@strategicobjectives.com
Emergency
Contraception Resources from the CWHN:
