NewsChannel 5.com - Nashville, Tennessee - Plan B Available Over the Counter

Plan B Available Over the Counter

It's now easier to get Plan B, a pill designed to prevent pregnancy.

After years of political debate, the Food and Drug Administration has made Plan B available over the counter, though it might not yet be in a pharmacy near you. 

Plan B is available over the counter to anyone over 18. Minors still need a prescription.  

According to Dayle Steinberg of Planned Parenthood, last year clinics provided one million doses of emergency contraception.  

"Emergency contraception can prevent up to 1.5 million unintended pregnancies in this country each year and would prevent 800,000 abortions in this country each year," Steinberg said.

When the restrictions were lifted last week, drug makers had to repackage Plan B for over the counter sale. Some pharmacies are still waiting for it to arrive. 

Plan B is a high dose of the same hormones found in birth control pills. It prevents a pregnancy if taken within 72 hours.