Memorandum In Support Of Emergency Contraception Dispensed
In Pharmacies Throughout New York State
A.888 / S.3339

March 2004

Interfaith IMPACT of New York State is a statewide advocacy organization representing Protestant, Unitarian Universalist, and Reform Jewish congregations and individuals. We address emerging public policies and their legislative implications from our shared faith traditions, which derive from the historic teachings of our faith in God and humankind, and which call upon all people to participate in the ongoing work of perfecting the world.

We speak for great numbers of New Yorkers who support the widest possible availability of emergency contraception to women at risk of unintended pregnancies.

Our faith perspective views sexuality, and its ultimate goal of a healthy and committed relationship, as a matter of religious concern. It is, therefore, an ethical imperative that no obstacles should be placed in the path of women, of all ages, who are sexually active and want to act responsibly regarding pregnancy.

Emergency contraception is an FDA-approved, safe and effective method of preventing pregnancy when other contraception has failed or was not used. It works before a pregnancy is established, not afterwards. We believe that other religious views opposing the use of contraception is contrary to established public health policies. NYS funds the distribution of contraception through various health centers. Now, research shows that emergency contraception is a safe and economical way to prevent unplanned pregnancies and to reduce incidences of abortion in those cases.

In December 2003, the FDA Advisory Committees on Reproductive Health Drugs and Non-Prescription Drugs, composed of experts in the fields of medicine, research and pharmacology, voted overwhelmingly (23 to 4) to recommend that EC be made available over the counter. The experts were unanimous in finding that this use of birth control pills is safe for use without a prescription. Six states - Washington, California, Alaska, New Mexico, Hawaii, and Maine - allow pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception directly to women.

State Comptroller Alan Hevesi's report indicated that making it easier for women to obtain emergency contraceptives, could reduce unintended pregnancies by half, cut the number of abortions, and save $452 million a year in health costs.

Dispensing emergency contraception does not require women to utilize it; it simply provides another option, for women who fear an unintended pregnancy, to avoid abortion. However one views abortion, the prevention of pregnancy is ethically better than ending a pregnancy.

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