In awesome birth control news, generic versions of Plan B One-Step will soon be available over the counter with no proof-of-age restrictions, according to a recent letter from the FDA.
Back when Plan B One-Step hit store shelves last August, Teva (the pill's manufacturer) was granted market exclusivity for three years. That means that it would be the only pill of its kind that could be sold over the counter without any age restrictions. The only problem: Plan B One-Step is usually about $50, while the generics can range from $20 to $40. So women would either have to shell out for Plan B or get the generic version behind the pharmacy counter (a prescription isn't required, but you would need to show the pharmacist your ID to prove you're 17 or older).
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Last week, the FDA sent a letter to manufacturers of the generic brands Next Choice One Dose and My Way ruling that this exclusivity was too broad. Now, the generic brands can be sold on store shelves, though they'll still need a label saying the product is intended for women 17 years or older. That means you won't have to find a pharmacist on duty the next time you want to buy the cheaper version.
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This is a pretty big deal because it means greater, more affordable access to emergency contraception when you need it, says Jessica Aarons, president and CEO of the Reproductive Health Technologies Project. The next step will be for the generic brands to submit new labels to the FDA for approval; once approved, these products will show up on the shelf next to Plan B One-Step. Aarons says the process will probably take a few months.
Have questions about emergency contraception? Click here to find out everything you need to know about the morning after pill.
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