The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's proposed changes for the purchase of the emergency contraceptive pill known as Plan B would set back access rights for younger females of child-bearing age in the state of Hawai'i.

There's no other way to put it. The FDA proposal is a major step backward.

At present, Hawai'i is one of nine states in the country with liberalized procedures that give women and girls at least 14, what some consider even better than over-the-counter access to this plan.

Family planning advocates have worked hard to establish a system here where certified pharmacists in conjunction with physicians can dispense Plan B without a prescription, and where girls 14 to 17 can get the emergency contraception without parental consent.

All that is endangered by the new FDA proposal that seeks to place greater restrictions on minors.

So even though the proposal does improve some access by lifting the state's requirement that makes women 18 and older seek a consultation with a pharmacist, that consultation restriction remains for girls 14-17.

If the goal is to prevent unwanted pregnancies, what is accomplished by making such an age distinction?

Even more restrictive is the proposed requirement that minors obtain a prescription. That would almost surely supercede state law that doesn't require a prescription from a doctor, but only consultation with a pharmacist.

The unintended consequence of that change could be more unwanted teen pregnancies

There is no compelling argument to restrict access for minors, except as a veiled attempt to talk a young girl out of using Plan B. That's a totally inappropriate reason for a major policy change. There is a time and place for conversations between trusted family members and friends on the very moral and personal issues of contraception.

But that time should be well before a young girl finds herself seeking Plan B as an option.

Complicating the entire matter is national politics. Acting FDA Commissioner Andrew von Eschenbach is behind all the proposed changes and is especially adamant about keeping minors from Plan B. He also wants to be the permanent agency chief. But Sens. Patty Murray of Washington and Hillary Clinton of New York, are threatening to block his confirmation if the drug isn't approved for over-the-counter-sale.

That's unfortunate. The debate isn't about von Eschenbach, but rather the prevention of unwanted pregnancies.

Our state already has managed a workable Plan B procedure. It would be a shame to have it all diluted unnecessarily.

If any changes are made in how emergency contraception is dispensed in this state, they should be to improve — not restrict — access, and be equally applicable to all females of child-bearing age.