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Contraception & Family Planning | Barr Begins Shipping of Plan B to U.S. Pharmacies
[Nov 08, 2006]
Barr Laboratories on Monday announced that its subsidiary Duramed Pharmaceuticals has begun to ship its emergency contraceptive Plan B -- which can prevent pregnancy if taken up to 72 hours after sexual intercourse -- to U.S. pharmacies, the AP/International Herald Tribune reports (AP/International Herald Tribune, 11/6). FDA in August approved the company's application to allow nonprescription sales of Plan B to women ages 18 and older. The approval of Barr's application requires the company to "[m]onitor the effectiveness of the age restriction and the safe distribution of [nonprescription] Plan B to consumers [ages] 18 and above and prescription Plan B to women under 18." Barr has agreed to send "anonymous shoppers" into pharmacies to test compliance with the age restriction, to distribute with the drug a booklet about its proper use, and to exclude gas stations and convenience stores from selling the drug (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 8/28). Barr also said it has obtained three-year exclusivity for Plan B, which will be valid until August 2009 and is based on clinical studies that were conducted for over-the-counter approval. Plan B will be available in most U.S. pharmacies by mid-November, according to Barr (Reuters, 11/6). Barr spokesperson Carol Cox in August said the cost of the prescription form of Plan B to girls ages 17 and younger, which is about $25 to $40, likely will increase because of higher distribution and packaging costs (Kaiser Daily Women's Health Policy Report, 8/28).

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