Family Research Council: As we previously reported, on August 13th the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) quietly announced approval of a new prescription abortion drug called "
ella," allowing Watson Pharmaceuticals to market this drug in the U.S. as an "emergency contraceptive" (EC). While proponents of
ella claim that it is more effective than the so-called "morning-after-pill," Plan B,
ella can also function as an abortion drug (more like RU-486).
Ella is similar in its chemical make-up to RU-486 and therefore can destroy an implanted embryo, in addition to other such effects as preventing fertilization or preventing implantation. Until now, the FDA has drawn the line between EC and abortion based on whether a drug prevents or ends an established pregnancy. Therefore, approving
ella as an EC even under its own definition of an abortifacient is doubly misleading.
Due to the FDA's approval of "
ella" as an EC, pharmacists may believe they must cover
ella as a prescription drug. However, many pharmacists do not know about the dangers of this drug or that it functions like an abortifacient. Many pharmacies may not know
ella can cause an abortion, and need to be aware of these concerns before they begin stocking this abortion drug.
To educate pharmacists around the country about this new abortion drug and shed light on its dangers, we ask you to
download this informational flyer, take it to your local pharmacy, and respectfully ask your pharmacist not to offer the
ella abortion drug.
Tags: abortion drug, ella, abortifacient, pharmacist, FDA, Family Research Council, FRC