Some extremist anti-choice groups oppose emergency contraception by equating it with abortion, which they also oppose. These groups are out of step with the mainstream medical community and their views find almost no support in laws and policies at the state and federal level. The attacks against ECPs are unwarranted and must therefore be seen as part of an agenda to ban all contraceptives. Emergency Contraceptive Pills Are Not RU-486. ECPs prevent pregnancy after sex.
Mifepristone ends an unwanted pregnancy at an early stage.
Some states authorize certain pharmacists to prescribe medications pursuant to collaboration agreements with physicians, clinics or HMOs. Pharmacists in these states may be able to develop collaborative agreements that will allow them to provide ECPs to particular patients without a prescription. The project prevented an estimated 720 pregnancies, of which about 320 would have ended in abortion. The FDA has deemed the use of ECPs safe and effective in the prevention of pregnancy. CRLP petitioned the FDA in 1996 on behalf of medical groups to improve access to ECPs.