BioCentury
ARTICLE | Politics, Policy & Law

Plan B's fallout

Plan B ruling could affect politicization, legal intervention of FDA decisions

April 8, 2013 7:00 AM UTC

A federal judge's decision to remove age restrictions on emergency contraceptives will limit - but certainly not eliminate - the temptation of the Obama White House and future administrations to use science-based regulatory agencies like FDA to achieve political goals.

Last week's ruling by Judge Edward Korman of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York also raises - but does not resolve - questions about the autonomy of FDA commissioners to make regulatory decisions, and the power of the HHS secretary to overrule them...