Jacobs in the News

Susan Wood spoke with Robin Young about the potential for an over-the-counter progestin-only pill to increase contraceptive options. She explained the difference between progestin-only pills and progestin-estrogen combination pills and why the pills should be sold without age restrictions.

Susan Wood explained that when FDA first considered emergency contraceptive Plan B in the 1990s, its mechanism for preventing pregnancy wasn’t totally clear. Now that we know it blocks ovulation, she suggests FDA update the language on its website to be clear, given growing false claims that emergency contraception is the same as abortion.

Susan Wood applauded the prospect of an over-the-counter birth control pill and expressed a hope that FDA would approve the application promptly. She also commented, “This is not a substitute for access to abortion care in the U.S., but will provide one more tool for the toolbox for preventing unintended pregnancies and more options for family planning.”

Susan Wood spoke to Ahmed Aboulenein about prospects for medication abortion drugs becoming available over the counter: “I personally don’t see it happening in the next couple of years.”

Susan Wood explained that in order for the label of the emergency contraceptive Plan B to be updated, the manufacturer must request a label change from FDA. She told Sarah Varney a label update would be straightforward given existing human data about the drug’s mechanism of action.

In response to leaked draft Supreme Court opinion that overturns the constitutional right to abortion, Susan Wood explained that we don’t expect to see the kinds of “back-alley” abortions that characterized the pre-Roe v. Wade era, because medication abortion now available.

In an op-ed for The Hill, Susan F. Wood explains that anti-abortion groups are targeting FDA commissioner nominee Dr. Robert Califf over the abortion drug mifepristone. "At this pivotal moment for the FDA, and amidst an ongoing public health emergency that already curtails access to health care, the vote for the next FDA commissioner must be based on their ability to uphold scientific decision-making," she writes.

Liz Borkowski explained that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's withdrawal of its emergency temporary standard to protect workers in healthcare settings has raised concern about occupational health risks among healthcare workers, but that employers should still provide safe and healthy workplaces as required by law. 

Liz Borkowski discussed a new Texas law that limits medication abortion to 7 weeks' gestation, as opposed to the 10 weeks allowed under the FDA's current label. “It seems like Texas lawmakers are thinking they know more about the science behind medication abortion than the FDA does,” she told Ciara McCarthy. “And that seems unlikely to be true.”