Monday, August 28, 2006
Emergency contraceptive Plan B will be available over the counter later this year for women 18 and older, after a decision made by the Federal Drug Administration last Friday.
If taken within 72 hours after unprotected sex, Plan B is 89 percent effective in preventing pregnancy. According to the FDA’s Web site, Plan B will be available only in pharmacies or stores staffed by a licensed pharmacist. The drug will be kept behind the counter and proof of identification will be required for purchase.
Cathy Thrasher, Watkins Memorial Health Center Chief Pharmacist, said she thought the drug should stay prescription only.
“I think there’s a benefit to being seen by a heath care provider to discuss issues of contraception because it ties into your general health and wellbeing,” she said.
We’ve already had someone come in and ask for it today.
-Michelle Donaldson, relief staff pharmacist at several Wal-Mart pharmacies
With the drug available over the counter, Thrasher said people may miss out on discussing important health issues with their doctor.
Nevertheless, the drug will be available over the counter at Watkins, 1200 Schwegler Drive, as soon as over-the-counter packaging is ready.
Thrasher said for products to be sold over the counter there are strict federal guidelines about what needs to be on the label because the patient never visits with a doctor.
Watkins currently carries Plan B by prescription only. Students now pay $14 for Plan B, which includes two pills. Thrasher said she didn’t know if the price would change once the drug is sold over the counter.
Wal-Mart pharmacies will also carry Plan B. Michelle Donaldson, relief staff pharmacist at several Wal-Mart pharmacies in Lawrence, Bonner Springs and Leavenworth said she expected over the counter Plan B to be available within a month.
As a prescription, Plan B costs $39.88 at Wal-Mart, but Donaldson said most drugs go down in price when they become available over the counter.
Prescription Plan B isn’t in high demand at Wal-Mart pharmacies. Donaldson said she’s only filled one prescription for the drug in the past six months, but she’s sure that will change once it’s available over the counter.
“We’ve already had someone come in and ask for it today,” she said on Saturday.
Donaldson said as a pharmacist, it’s important to tell patients how to use Plan B. She said she will be more detailed giving patients information about Plan B because it has to be taken exactly right for it to work.
Kansan staff writer Anna Faltermeier can be contacted at afaltermeier@kansan.com.
— Edited by Kristen Jarboe
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