Susan F. Wood, PhD, is Research Professor at the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services where her work focuses on the use of scientific knowledge in public policy. She served as Assistant Commissioner for Women's Health and Director of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Women's Health (OWH) from November 2000 through August 2005. She resigned on principle over the continued delay of approval of emergency contraception over-the-counter by FDA.
Dr. Susan Wood discusses the recent misuse of science and data as part of the decision by the Secretary of HHS to overrule the scientific determination by the FDA Commissioner on bringing Plan B fully over the counter.
From Plan B to proposed regulations redefining contraception as abortion, the Bush War on Contraception and Science is being waged until the bitter end.
Today, women are able to access emergency contraception, a safe, second chance option for preventing unintended pregnancy in a timely manner without a prescription. Senator Hillary Clinton is the leader that made this happen.
A slew of anniversaries in August leads to reflections on lessons learned from the former FDA Assistant Commissioner for Women’s Health.
