FDA decision angers women's groups

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Women's groups are accusing the Bush administration of putting politics before science in rejecting over-the-counter sales of morning-after birth control, even though regulators left open the possibility they will reconsider.
The Food and Drug Administration cited concern about young teenagers' use of the pills in rejecting the move Thursday.
The decision overruled a recommendation from FDA's own scientific advisers, who had overwhelmingly called easier access to emergency contraception a safe way to prevent thousands of abortions.
A disappointed Barr Laboratories, maker of the Plan B emergency contraception brand, plans to rapidly seek nonprescription sales approval again -- at least to people age 16 and older.
"It's a matter of weeks and months to deal with this objection," said Barr chief executive Bruce Downey, saying that means the FDA could reconsider the issue within a year. "Clearly ... the door's open, and we plan to go through it."
The FDA complained that Barr provided no evidence that teens under 16 could use the pills appropriately without a doctor's guidance. Warned in February of that concern, Barr offered a last-minute proposal to allow nonprescription sales to anyone 16 and older -- and make drugstores check ages and demand a prescription from younger teens.
But the FDA said the company didn't provide necessary details on how such a program, never before tried, would work.