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CNN Live At Daybreak

Morning After Contraceptive Pill

Aired December 17, 2003 - 05:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get more now on the morning after contraceptive pill that got a positive recommendation by an FDA advisory panel.
CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a closer look for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The FDA panel agreed with the majority of people testifying that the morning after pill should go over the counter.

DR. CAROLE BEN-MAIMON, BARR RESEARCH: Making this product available over the counter will decrease the barriers and increase access.

GUPTA: If taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, the pill, known as Plan B, can prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus. But Plan B is also reigniting the abortion debate.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need greater access to the morning after pill or emergency contraception.

GUPTA: Those in favor of Plan B going over the counter say a woman has a right to have access to the drug and it can reduce some of the three million unplanned pregnancies every year in the U.S.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Half of the unintended pregnancies result in abortion. And, again, it's estimated that up to 50 percent of these unintended pregnancies could be prevented with the use of emergency contraception.

GUPTA: Those opposed to the drug argue that it's an abortion pill and it isn't safe.

WENDY WRIGHT, CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA: There have been no studies done on the long-term effects on women who take the morning after pill.

GUPTA: This pill is already available without a prescription in 33 countries and five states. Final approval for the U.S. is expected from the FDA in a few months. But the debate will likely continue much longer.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta. (END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com






Aired December 17, 2003 - 05:04   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's get more now on the morning after contraceptive pill that got a positive recommendation by an FDA advisory panel.
CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes a closer look for you.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DR. SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The FDA panel agreed with the majority of people testifying that the morning after pill should go over the counter.

DR. CAROLE BEN-MAIMON, BARR RESEARCH: Making this product available over the counter will decrease the barriers and increase access.

GUPTA: If taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, the pill, known as Plan B, can prevent a fertilized egg from attaching to the wall of the uterus. But Plan B is also reigniting the abortion debate.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We need greater access to the morning after pill or emergency contraception.

GUPTA: Those in favor of Plan B going over the counter say a woman has a right to have access to the drug and it can reduce some of the three million unplanned pregnancies every year in the U.S.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Half of the unintended pregnancies result in abortion. And, again, it's estimated that up to 50 percent of these unintended pregnancies could be prevented with the use of emergency contraception.

GUPTA: Those opposed to the drug argue that it's an abortion pill and it isn't safe.

WENDY WRIGHT, CONCERNED WOMEN FOR AMERICA: There have been no studies done on the long-term effects on women who take the morning after pill.

GUPTA: This pill is already available without a prescription in 33 countries and five states. Final approval for the U.S. is expected from the FDA in a few months. But the debate will likely continue much longer.

Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN, Atlanta. (END VIDEOTAPE)

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com