Sen. Santorum, opponent Casey differ in opinion of FDA approval of nonprescription Plan B sales

Sep 5 2006

Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.) and Pennsylvania Treasurer Bob Casey (D), who is running against Santorum in the November election, on Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press showed "sharp" disagreement over FDA's recent approval of nonprescription sales of Barr Laboratories' emergency contraceptive Plan B -- which can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse -- to people ages 18 and older, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Casey, who opposes abortion rights, said he supports FDA's decision (O'Toole, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 9/4).

"I think the science is clear ... [EC] is contraception, and I support it," Casey said, adding, "I think [EC] can reduce the number of abortions. That's what we should emphasize."

Santorum said EC is an "abortifacient in certain circumstances," adding that "if the egg has been fertilized, ... and the pill is taken, it does cause an abortion" (Russert, "Meet the Press," NBC, 9/3).

Santorum -- who also opposes abortion rights -- during the show also said he would support exceptions to abortion bans for rape, incest and to save the life of the woman in order to find "common ground" on abortion rights (Babington, Washington Post, 9/4).

The complete transcript of Santorum and Casey's appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" is available online.

A video excerpt of Santorum and Casey's statements about Plan B on the program is available online in RealPlayer.