If the condom breaks, what's the plan?
Before late August, women could get the morning-after pill commonly known as "Plan B" only by prescription.
Aug. 24, however, the FDA approved the sale of Plan B over the counter to women 18 years and older. Women younger than 18 must still get a prescription from a doctor.
According to the FDA's Web site, the company Duramed will distribute Plan B with an extensive label including a toll-free number for questions about Plan B.
Duramed is also making efforts to ensure Plan B is only sold at pharmacies, licensed drug wholesalers and clinics with licensed healthcare practitioners, like the University's Student Health Center. Additionally, Plan B will only be stocked behind a pharmacy's counter and will require proof of age to purchase.
Christine Peterson, director of gynecology at Student Health, said not much will change at the University.
"For many years we've had emergency contraception very available," Peterson said. "For the last few years it's been available 24/7/365. It was a nuisance to get a prescription, but students could get it whenever they wanted."
Peterson said as of last Friday Student Health had not received the newly packaged Plan B, so it is still only available with a prescription.
Second-year College student Quinn Thomas said although the age limit quells some of her concerns, she still does not think Plan B should be available over-the-counter.
"It's not very socially responsible," Thomas said. "I feel by offering it over-the-counter and people know they have such an easily accessible backup, they will be less likely to [use other protection] that's healthier overall ... like abstinence or a condom, that prevents more than just pregnancy."
On the other hand, fourth-year Commerce student Jeff Barry said he supported the FDA's action.
"In my opinion, as long as Plan B is used as just that -- a backup plan -- I don't see any harm in selling it over the counter," Barry said. "I do think, though, that there should be some sort of education involved with it ... about basically what the morning-after pill is, the effects that it has on the body and the negative side effects [would] probably be beneficial information to have out there."
While Thomas said she believed the easier access to Plan B will increase the amount of women who engage in unprotected sex, Barry said he disagreed.
"I don't see it being a huge, nationwide, everyone's-going-to-start-having-tons-of-unprotected-sex-with-multiple-partners thing," Barry said.
Peterson said the biggest effect will be on the lower socioeconomic classes.
"This is very important for women who don't have easy access to medical care or who don't have the means to pay for prescriptions," Peterson said.
Peterson maintained that she believes Plan B would be continued to be viewed as a backup, not a first line of defense, and would therefore not affect the amount of unprotected sex.
"Whatever a person's Plan A is -- abstinence, etc. -- it will be cheaper and more effective than Plan B," Peterson said. "It needs to be the backup when one's own plan A fails."
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 3 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | 5 days agoWhat the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
