Does your pharmacy carry the morning-after pill?
Do you have a back-up for your birth control? With increased access to Plan B -- the brand name of a high dose of ordinary oral contraception which, if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, can reduce the likelihood of pregnancy by up to 89 percent -- you're better positioned to take control of your reproductive health.
In August 2006, the Food and Drug Administration approved Plan B for sale without a prescription to women 18 and older, ending more than 3 years of priviliging politics over women's health. In November, the maker of Plan B began shipping the non-prescription product to pharmacies nationwide. Now, women 18 and older should be able to purchase Plan B without a prescription, although they'll be prompted to show ID since the medication is available only by prescription to women 17 and younger.
The next time you swing by the pharmacy, be sure to ask the pharmacist for a dose of Plan B. If the pharmacy doesn't stock it, refuses to sell it to you without a prescription even though you're at least 18, or doesn't have the new non-prescription product available, report it to us.
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