Director of FDA's Office of Women's Health Resigns Over Agency's Refusal to
                              Approve Plan B OTC

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- American women lost an advocate for
women's health and scientific integrity as Susan F. Wood, Ph.D., Assistant
Commissioner for Women's Health and Director, Office of Women's Health
announced her resignation today.
    Wood's resignation comes after the FDA again refused to approve Plan B for
over-the-counter use last week.  Despite saying that it completed its review
of this application, as amended, and concluding that the available scientific
data are sufficient to support the safe use of Plan B as an over-the-counter
product, the FDA said it would begin another regulatory process, thereby
delaying the decision indefinitely.  The FDA plans to hold a new 60-day public
comment period -- with no clear criteria or explicit timetable for a final
decision.
    Ms. Wood sent the following correspondence today to her colleagues and
women's health advocates:

    "Dear Friends and Colleagues,

    I regret to tell you that I am leaving the FDA, and will no longer be
serving as the Assistant Commissioner for Women's Health and Director of the
FDA Office of Women's Health.  The recent decision announced by the
Commissioner about emergency contraception, which continues to limit women's
access to a product that would reduce unintended pregnancies and reduce
abortions is contrary to my core commitment to improving and advancing women's
health.  I have spent the last 15 years working to ensure that science informs
good health policy decisions.  I can no longer serve as staff when scientific
and clinical evidence, fully evaluated and recommended for approval by the
professional staff here, has been overruled.  I therefore have submitted my
resignation effective today.

    I will greatly miss working with such an outstanding group of scientists,
clinicians and support staff.  FDA's staff is of the highest caliber and it
has been a privilege to work with you all.  I hope to have future
opportunities to work with you in a different capacity."

    For press availability for Susan Wood please contact: Chrissy Faessen at
202-347-7911

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