FDA urged to allow over-the-counter sales of birth control

Last week, doctors and reproductive rights advocates announced that they will lobby the FDA to include birth control in a list of drugs that can be offered without prescriptions.

Obama taken to the woodshed over Plan B decision

Women’s health advocates all over the country were stunned yesterday when Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius reversed an FDA request to expand access to over-the-counter emergency contraception for teenagers under the age of 17. In press releases denouncing the decision, a common theme has emerged: President Obama has followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, George W. Bush, on the heated issue of emergency contraception.

DeGette laments surprise Sebelius move against Plan B contraception

Colorado U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, head of the pro-choice caucus and a staunch advocate for women’s health rights, said she was disappointed that the Obama Administration Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, on Wednesday opposed a recommendation by the Food and Drug Administration, announcing she would deny a request to expand access to over-the-counter emergency contraception to women under 17.

Bottled water expert calls on feds to change labeling laws to protect springs

“The only thing that has matched the explosion of bottled water consumption is the backlash against it,” says Noah Hall, who teaches law at Wayne State University and the University of Michigan. He has testified before Congress regarding bottled water and has represented environmental groups in Michigan in litigation against Nestle, which is mired in controversy over its Arrowhead brand taking water from the Arkansas River basin in Colorado.

House Dems push new food safety regulations

Democratic leaders of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, including Denver Rep. Diana DeGette, introduced legislation yesterday granting the Food and Drug Administration more powers to monitor the nation’s food producers.

Salazar Pushes to Keep Denver FDA Lab Open

Just as reports are coming in about another food contamination case, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar has launched an effort to keep a Denver FDA lab open.

Salazar has introduced an amendment to an existing FDA bill that would require…