Morning-after pill rules are good for big pharma and rich kids.

Under court order the FDA is allowing and over the counter version of the morning-after pill. According to the public health science of the FDA it is clear that making emergency contraception available over-the-counter will help to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and the health risks associated with the morning-after pill are dwarfed in comparison to the health risks associated with unwanted pregnancies.

Unfortunately the Obama administration and Kathleen Sebelius rejected the FDA science and tried to prevent the morning-after pill from becoming over-the-counter. The courts disagreed and mandated the FDA to allow an over-the-counter version. The policymakers had one more trick up their sleeves. Instead of releasing all varieties of emergency contraception to over-the-counter sales, the FDA is only allowing the brand Plan B One Step to be over-the-counter. There is a generic version of the same medication available for half the price, but the generic is required to be kept behind the counter and customers must prove their age to purchase it.

Teva pharmaceuticals the Israeli based company that owns Plan B One Step is able to maintain its monopoly pricing as the only over-the-counter emergency contraception option. What this means is that the over-the-counter morning-after pill continues to be inaccessible to girls who can't afford it. If unwanted teen pregnancies contribute to the cycle of poverty then this FDA granted monopoly only contributes to an increasingly rigid class structure. Rich kids won't be turned away by Plan B One Step's $60 cost. 

Since a generic version exists, why couldn't that be allowed for over-the-counter sales? Apparently there is an idea that the increased price will prevent very young girls from inappropriately using the morning-after pill. While it's true that the younger you are the less money you are likely to have access to it's also true that the poorer you are the less money you are likely to have access to. What's particularly interesting is that this monopoly privilege is only given for three years. Now you really have to ask why?