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Wilson:
Adam Wilson Blog

Adam Wilson expounds on Washington state government, workers and politics. Wilson began covering those issues for the Olympian in 2004. He can be reached at: awilson@theolympian.com.

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Plan B politics continue

• Published November 06, 2008

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The whole debate over Plan B, an emergency contraceptive, reaches further than Olympia's local boycott of a store that wouldn't sell it (which drew the attention of Gov. Chris Gregoire). It factors in the power plays for an Obama administration.

The Wall Street Journal reports U.S. Sen. Patty Murray may oppose a contender for health secretary over her handling of Plan B:

Industry’s favorite (contender) may be Janet Woodcock, head of FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. Her backers have been pushing talking points to the media that she would be acceptable to both parties. But Woodcock’s been involved in some FDA controversies and drug problems that blew up in the House and Senate, including delays of the Plan B morning-after birth control pill, which infuriated Democratic Sens. Hillary Clinton and Patty Murray and others on the Senate committee that will confirm the new commish. That could make for a difficult hearing.

If I remember correctly, the FDA dragged its heels in rescheduling Plan B as an over-the-counter drug. In Washington, Gregoire pushed to require pharmacists to fill any legal prescription, including the morning-after contraceptive, which a few pharmacists view as a form of abortion.

Battles similar to the Plan B skirmishes may erupt over Washington's new Death with Dignity Act, with some pharmacies and pharmacists refusing to participate in handing over lethal does of medication.

UPDATE: Talked to Compassion and Choices of Washington Executive Director Rob Miller, and he says the assisted suicide law specifically states that participation by pharmacists is voluntary.