FDA Approves Generic Plan B Emergency Contraception

Today, the FDA approved the first generic version of Plan B emergency contraception.  It will be available by prescription only for women 17 and younger.  Currently, Plan B, the brand name drug, is available to women without a prescription to women 18 and older and soon, it will be available without a prescription to women 17  years of age.

At present, the generic drug, which is made by Watson Laboratories, will not be made available without a prescription because Duramed Pharmaceuticals has a patent on Plan B's nonprescription sales until August 24 of this year.  After the patent expires, Watson Laboratories will have to seek FDA approval for nonprescription use of the generic product. 

It has been a long slow road getting to where we are today in providing this important drug to women.  The option of a lower cost, generic version will now prove invaluable to women and families.