Plan B sees increase in Rx-to-OTC availability

NEW YORK Over-the-counter availability of Plan B has increased access to the emergency contraceptive, a survey published in the November issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology reported.

The survey, originally published online June 16, found that only 8 percent of pharmacies were unable to provide Plan B within 24 hours in 2007, as compared to 23 percent of pharmacies that were unable to produce the emergency contraceptive in 2005. And the total refusal rate in 2007 was half that in 2005, 2 percent vs. 4 percent.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the Rx-to-OTC switch of Plan B in 2006.

Pharmacists from Atlanta and Philadelphia were interviewed at 1,087 pharmacies in 2005 and at 795 pharmacies in 2007.