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Emergency Contraception

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Frequently Asked Questions
About Plan B®

On August 24, 2006, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) made Plan B® emergency contraception (EC) available over-the-counter (OTC) for consumers ages 18 and older. Below are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Plan B® and where to get it OTC.

Q:What is Plan B®?

• Also known as the "morning-after" pill, Plan B® is a brand of EC that is a safe and reliable way to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or birth control failure.
• Plan B® contains the same medication as birth control pills and works the same way.
• Plan B® should be taken as soon as possible after having unprotected sex. It may work up to five days after sex, but it is more likely to work the sooner it is taken.
• EC WILL NOT cause an abortion (EC is NOT the same as RU-486, the abortion pill).
• EC DOES NOT prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or HIV/AIDS.

Q:What does over-the-counter (OTC) mean?

OTC means the FDA has decided that a drug is safe enough to use without first getting a prescription from a doctor/clinic. In this case, the FDA decided to make Plan B® OTC only for consumers 18 or older.

Q:What options do consumers have to access PlanB®?
Consumers 18 or older:

• EC is authorized for over-the-counter sale in pharmacies, OR
• From your local health clinic. Visit www.not-2-late.com or call 1-888-NOT-2-LATE to see a list of providers.
• EC is available at a lower cost at family planning clinics.  Click here to find a clinic near you. 

Women 17 and younger:

• Call your regular doctor or nurse practitioner, local family planning clinic, student health center, health department, or urgent care center to find out if they provide emergency birth control pills.
• Call your local health department. These clinics provide family planning and STD services, including most methods of contraception, to women of all ages.  To find the nearest clinic, please visit the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources website.
• Visit www.not-2-late.com to find the nearest clinic, doctor, or nurse practitioner who will give you a prescription for emergency birth control pills. You simply type in your zip code.
  
  Or, call the toll-free, confidential 24-hour emergency birth control Hotline, 1.888.NOT.2.LATE (in English) or 1.866.TRES-DIAS (in Spanish). The hotline is automated, so you don’t have to talk with a real person.

Q: What if I still can't get Plan B®?

You can have a friend or family member pick up Plan B® for you—as long as they are age 18 or older.  Some Regular Birth Control Pills can be used as emergency birth control when PlanB® can’t be found or is too difficult to get. Learn more...

Q: What if I can't afford Plan B®?

If you are on Medicaid, you can go to a family planning clinic or local
health department and obtain a prescription for Plan B® that you can take to
a pharmacy and get Plan B® for free. If you are not on Medicaid, you can go
to a family planning clinic or health department and get Plan B® at a lower
cost or for free.

Q: What if I need Plan B® because I’ve been sexually assaulted?

If you have been sexually assaulted or raped you may be worried about pregnancy. You can go to the nearest hospital emergency room to get Plan B®. In West Virginia emergency rooms have strict policies requiring provision of emergency birth control to young women who have been raped or sexually assaulted if they ask for it.

Sexual Assault Resources

If you are in immediate danger or want to report a rape, call 911.

Hotlines, Web Sites, and Telephone Resources

• National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1.800.656.HOPE
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) Hotline: 1.800.656.4673 (24/7) or find a local crisis center at http://www.rainn.org (create hyperlink to definitions for rape, abuse, and incest)
• National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1.800.799.7233 or 1.800.787.3224 (TTY) for local resources and confidential counseling
• National Anti-Violence Prevention Hotline: 1.800.616.4283
• National Organization for Victim Assistance: 1.703.535.NOVA; www.try-nova.org

Web Site Resources for Direct Services

• Foundation for Rape Information Services: http://www.fris.org.
• State by State Resources: http://www.feminist.org/911/

Q:Is EC safe for teens under 18?

Yes. Research show there are NO negative health or behavioral effects to making EC more available for young women. A 2005 study of young women published in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that easier access to EC did NOT increase sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or reduce use of regular on-going contraception.

Q:Why did the FDA keep Plan B® a prescription drug for teens under 18?

There is NO medical reason for keeping Plan B® a prescription drug for teens under 18. Leading medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, agree that access to Plan B® should not be restricted by age.

Q:Is Plan B© on the shelf, along with other OTC products, like condoms?

Plan B® is kept behind the pharmacy counter; pharmacy or store staff with access to these products are authorized to provide Plan B® to customers 18 and older with proper identification.

Q:How are the rules for Plan B® different from those for other behind-the-counter products, like pseudoephedrine?

The sale of products containing psudoephedrine (commonly found in OTC cold medications; may be used to produce methamphetamines) is also restricted to sale behind-the-counter or from a locked cabinet. Although some state laws establish age restrictions for pseudoephedrine sales, the FDA does not indicate a specific age requirement, as it does for Plan B®, despite the known harmful effects of pseudoephedrine. In contrast, Plan B® has been determined by two FDA medical advisory panels to be highly safe and effective for women of all ages.

Q:Can men purchase Plan B® OTC?

Yes. Men can purchase Plan B® if they are 18 and over and show proof of age. Men under 18 do NOT have the option to obtain a prescription for Plan B®.
Q:How much does Plan B® cost over-the-counter?
Price varies by pharmacy. Currently the prescription price for Plan B® ranges from $20 - $50.

Information contributed by The Pharmacy Access Partnership and Advocates for Youth.