FDA's advisory panel supports 'Ella' contraceptive pill

The drug manufactured by French pharmaceutical company HRA Pharma, Paris has been found effective in delaying pregnancy even if consumed on the fifth day after unprotected sex.

Endorsing the effectiveness and safety of the new emergency contraceptive pill, the panel voted 11-0 in favor of Ella, which is already approved for sale is Europe, and is marketed under the brand name 'ellaOne.'

Ella's yearly sale in Europe is around 36.5 million euros.

Is Ella a baby killer?
The unanimous support by the FDA's 11 reproductive health experts has indeed thrilled the French manufacturer who has been seeking approval to market the drug in the United States.

Erin Gainer, top executive from HRA Pharma told AFP, "We are delighted the committee was able to confirm our product's effectiveness."

But the drug has drawn concerns from the anti-abortion groups. The endorsement of the Ella by the FDA's advisory panel is likely to stir controversy.

Though the drug is more effective in delaying ovulation than other over the counter drugs available in the nation, the critics of Ella contend that the pill is more an abortion drug than a contraceptive pill.

Supporting their argument, the critics stated that Ella is chemically similar to abortion drug Mifeprex, and it also helps prevent implantation of the fertilized embryo.

Women for America president Wendy Wright compared Ella to RU-486 am abortion pill, which was “approved without adequate trials and even with restricted distribution has resulted in thousands of complications including deaths."

Further, there are also concerns that women might get confused and believe that the drug once taken will help them avert pregnancy for the next five days of unprotected sex.

Other drawbacks
Apart from the above mentioned concerns, Ella has other shortcomings too.

The emergency contraceptive pill has several side effects. These include nausea, dizziness, headache, fatigue, abdominal pain, and painful menstruation, confirmed the FDA and drugmaker HRA Pharma.

Women for America president Wendy Wright compared Ella to RU-486 am abortion pill, which was “approved without adequate trials and even with restricted distribution has resulted in thousands of complications including deaths."

Also, the drug has not proved very effectual in obese women.

Ella expected to be best seller
The final decision by the FDA is not expected anytime soon. The administration is expected to address the approval issue sometime in late July.

Ella, if approved will compete with Plan B, which is one of the best selling contraceptive pills in the nation.

But since Ella is a longer working alternative- 5 days compared to 3 days of Plan B, it is expected to capture the market and rake in "several hundred million dollars" in the United States as the country has one of the highest teen pregnancy rates compared to other countries.