A heated debate surrounds emergency contraceptives and many University of Memphis students discussed whether it should be available over the counter or by prescription only.
"It is a contraceptive and it is preventing unwanted pregnancy," said Jonathan Brown, a chemistry major. "It is beneficial."
Contraceptives sold over the counter are a concern to Brown who said sexually active teens are preventing their parents from knowing about their use of the pills.
He said a prescription contraceptive would help parents monitor what their teens are taking.
According to the FDA, Barr Pharmaceuticals, Plan B's manufacturer, has postponed the release of the morning-after pill from selling over the counter due to regulatory issues.
The issue is whether the pill should be available without a prescription and sold to women aged 16 and older and remain available by prescription only for those under the age of 16.
"I don't think it's a good idea for kids in middle or high school, but college students are old enough to make their own decisions," said Jamin Carter, a fine arts major. "Having the drug sold over the counter can become a higher risk of STDs among some young teens."
According to the Women's Capital Corporation, the Plan B pill is not a regularly used contraceptive.
Barr Labs stressed that Plan B is for emergency use only. In December 2003, the FDA's Reproductive Health and Drugs and Nonprescription Drugs Advisory committees claimed the Plan B pill was safe.
"I'm Catholic, so we don't believe in contraception," said Victoria Enriquez, an international business major. "If you have sex before you're married, you need to face the consequences."
Some students are concerned with the safety of the drug and think that obtaining the pills over the counter will increase STD cases.
"I really don't think they should sell it OTC," said Nicole Davis, an art major. "I think they should keep it prescription only because anyone can go out and just sleep around.
"Thinking everything will be OK by taking a morning-after pill will lead to a lot more STD cases instead of taking the initiative to go to the doctor."
One U of M student believes that there would be fewer unwanted pregnancies if emergency contraceptives were accessible.
"I think it would be great to have contraceptives OTC," said Monique Cage, a nursing major. "A lot of teens are doing so many irresponsible things and are scared to go to family members. They probably are keeping information from parents anyway.
"We are faced with so many things in college," she said.
Cage said it would probably help some teens make a more responsible decision instead of suicide.
"You can save one girl's life by letting contraceptives be put OTC," she said. "You never know what you are going to do when you are faced with a bad situation."
