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Mar. 29--From the cover
A bill that would have allowed pharmacists to dispense emergency birth control without a prescription died in the Senate yesterday in a close vote.
After a nearly hourlong debate during which almost all of the Senate's 15 female members expressed their views, the chamber voted 24-23 against the measure permitting women to receive medication commonly known as the "morning-after" pill or Plan B at participating drugstores.
The pills, intended to be taken soon after having unprotected sex, contain a higher dose of the hormones found in typical birth-control pills.
Sen. Sharon M. Grosfeld, a Montgomery County Democrat who sponsored the legislation, said that the Senate decision dealt a blow to women's rights.
"It really demonstrates how far backward the state and this country is going when it comes to the health of women and girls," she said.
Grosfeld's bill did not contain a minimum age for those who would be able to get the drugs - an omission that opponents considered a flaw. Rather, the legislation stated that licensed pharmacists and the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene would develop a protocol for who could get it. Participating pharmacists would be required to complete a training program and pay fees.
Because the federal Food and Drug Administration has blocked attempts to make the morning-after pill available over the counter, eight states have passed laws allowing pharmacists to dispense Plan B: Alaska, California, Hawaii, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Washington.
Maryland's General Assembly was among about a dozen state legislatures considering similar bills this year.
Some conservative activists vigorously opposed the bill, insisting that doctors, not pharmacists, should control access to the pill and that allowing minors to have it without parental consent was a bad idea. Julie M. Varner, Maryland Catholic Conference's associate director for social concerns, was pleased to see the bill defeated.
"The legislation is harmful," she said, "because it takes the doctor out of the equation of making important health decisions for women and girls.
Sen. Gloria G. Lawlah, a Prince George's County Democrat, was among those who voted against the measure because of age concerns. "So this 10-year old child can actually go to the pharmacy and purchase the medication?" said Lawlah.
"My heartburn with this bill is that it is open to anybody," added Sandra B. Schrader, a Howard County Republican. "I'm pro-choice, but we're not talking about a woman's right to choose, we're talking about girls."
But supporters, including a variety of women's rights groups, say the legislation would prevent unintended pregnancies - and ultimately abortions.
"I hate to see [a young girl] in this situation, but I certainly would much less want to see them as parents," said Delores G. Kelley, a Baltimore County Democrat.
John A. Giannetti Jr., a Prince George's Democrat said though the issue was "morally difficult" for him, he decided to vote for the bill.
"If this piece of legislation will lessen the numbers of abortions out there, that stands in its favor," he said.
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