Holistic Wisdom Corporation

FDA Delays Morning After Pill

U.S. regulators have delayed a decision on whether to approve over-the-counter sales of a Barr Pharmaceuticals "morning-after pill" to prevent pregnancy, prompting a lawsuit from a women's rights group.

Barr said it was optimistic the Food and Drug Administration ultimately would grant its request to sell the product, called Plan B, without a prescription to women and girls age 16 and older. The FDA said it would complete its review "in the near future," according to a statement from Barr. Plan B, sold now only by prescription, is an emergency contraceptive that may prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours after sexual intercourse.

The FDA is under political pressure from advocates and opponents of expanding access to Plan B. Women's groups argue it would reduce abortions, while some conservatives say it would lead to more promiscuity and sexually transmitted diseases, especially among teenagers," despite studies that show it has no impact on women's sexual behavior.

Plan B is different from RU-486, a pill that causes an abortion early in pregnancy. RU-486 also is known as Mifeprex or mifepristone.