WASHINGTON, Apr 22, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration says it won't appeal a federal court order directing it to permit
the Plan B drug to be available without prescription.
The March 23 court order directed the FDA to act within 30 days, to permit Plan
B (levonorgestrel) to be made available to women 17 and older without a
prescription.
Plan B is an emergency contraception drug designed to prevent pregnancy when
taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.
"In accordance with the court's order, and consistent with the scientific
findings since 2005 by the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA sent a
letter to the manufacturer of Plan B that the company may, upon submission and
approval of an appropriate application, market Plan B without a prescription to
women 17 years of age and older," the FDA said.
Plan B is manufactured by Duramed Research Inc. of Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
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