The British Medical Journal (BMJ) has featured a news article discussing the US health secretary’s decision to overrule the FDA’s recommendation that the ‘Plan B’ emergency contraceptive pill should be available over the counter without a prescription to all girls and women of child bearing potential.

This is the first time that a scientific decision by the FDA has been cancelled by the government, and it means that previous restrictions will stay in effect (i.e. it will be available to women aged 17 years or older from pharmacists and younger teenagers will need a doctor’s prescription).