Washington – The popularity of the morning-after pill Plan B has surged in the year since the federal government approved the sale of the controversial emergency contraceptive without a prescription.
Plan B sales have doubled since the Food and Drug Administration authorized the switch for women 18 and older in August, rising from about $40 million a year to what will probably be close to $80 million for 2007, according to Barr Pharmaceuticals, which makes Plan B.
The sharp rise was hailed by women’s health and family-planning advocates, who say it illustrates the value of easing access to birth control to help prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Susan Wood, director of the FDA’s Office of Women’s Health, said: “What we’re seeing is women who needed this product now finally having access to it. For a woman in that position, it can make a real difference in her life.”
But the surging use disturbs some conservative groups.
“This is very concerning,” said Charmaine Yoest of the Family Research Council, among several groups suing the FDA to reverse the decision. “We think this is putting women’s health at risk.”
