Word: fda
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Dates: during 2000-2009
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...taken under a physician's supervision over the course of two days, has been proven extremely effective in ending pregnancies up to the 50th day following conception. These pills are different from the "morning after pill," or emergency contraceptive, which is administered in the 72 hours following intercourse. The FDA, which has been hemming and hawing over final approval for RU-486 for almost four years, made its decision under enormous pressure - from both political and medical organizations...
...life groups responded to the announcement immediately, deploring the FDA's action and citing their concern for the health of women who will take the drug. "This is a sad day for women," said a spokesperson for the Family Research Council. Pro-choice groups, longtime supporters of the drug, expressed gratification at the decision, calling the approval an advance in women's health on par with the introduction of the birth control pill...
...that stands in between American women and non-surgical abortion is the FDA's stamp of approval. And the agency, which has been hemming and hawing over final approval for RU-486 for almost four years, is under enormous pressure - from both the medical and political worlds. Anti-abortion activists are predictably opposed to the pill, while abortion rights groups argue RU-486 offers women a more private, less invasive and ultimately safer way to terminate unwanted pregnancies...
...FDA is no doubt steeling itself for the rash of phone calls, protests and editorials that will accompany any decision they make. But come Friday, there may be no movement at all. Political observers speculate it's quite possible the agency will hedge its bets and ask for more time to consider the issue, in an effort to divert attention from the pill - and its purpose - until after the November 7 election. And Al Gore isn't likely to protest that line of logic...
Sources--Good News: Journal of Clinical Investigation (8/00); FDA (8/3/00); Nature Medicine (8/00). Bad News: Annals of Internal Medicine (8/00...