Abortion-rights group applauds FDA panel's recommendation

NARAL Pro-Choice America is applauding an expert panel's recommendation Thursday that the Food and Drug Administration approve the morning-after drug ulipristal. Nancy Keenan, president of NARAL, pushed back against abortion opponents' claims that the drug can cause abortions and should be labeled and administered as an abortifacient rather than an emergency contraceptive.

"The independent panel’s decision should restore the public’s faith in the agency after years of political interference during the Bush years,” Keenan said. “It is a shame that some political pressure groups refuse to support better access to contraception. They will repeat their false claim that emergency contraception is akin to abortion. That’s wrong, and I am convinced the American people will continue to reject this falsehood. Emergency contraception prevents a pregnancy; it does not cause abortion.”