Washington ? The Food and Drug Administration once again deferred action on making the so-called morning-after pill available without a prescription, saying the drug was safe for women 17 and older, but that issues surrounding its potential sale to younger teens remain unresolved.

Friday’s action prompted outrage from women’s rights supporters, who accused the agency of playing politics and dragging its feet after nearly two years of political squabbling on the merits and morality of the medication known as “Plan B.”

FDA Commissioner Lester M. Crawford said the drug wouldn’t be available for sale until the agency sorts out whether age alone should determine its availability without prescription, whether the prescription and nonprescription versions can be marketed in the same package and whether the age-limit regulation can be effectively enforced.

“What we are saying today is that the agency is unable at this time to reach a decision,” Crawford added. “We need to resolve these policy and regulatory questions before we can reach a final decision on the underlying science that was presented to us.”