FDA delays decision on morning-after pill access

Washington D.C., Jan 24, 2005 / 22:00 pm

The Federal Drug Administration has delayed its decision about whether to make the morning-after pill available over the counter. The morning-after pill is also known as Plan B.

The FDA had aimed to have a decision by Jan. 21, but Barr Pharmaceuticals said in a statement Friday that the FDA told the company it was unable to complete its review by then.

According the statement, the FDA said, "it is committed to completing its review of the application in the near future."

The FDA had rejected the over-the-counter proposal last year, stating that there was a lack of information about the drug’s effect on teenagers.

Barr submitted another application for the drug about six months ago, proposing that Plan B be made available without prescription to women, aged 16 and over. A prescription would be required for anyone under 16.

Hours after the company announced the delay, the Center for Reproductive Rights filed suit against the FDA in a New York federal court for failing to approve Plan B for over-the-counter access.