Plan B Pill Formally Approved Over-the-Counter for All Ages

Attempt to enforce age restrictions dropped

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of Plan B One-Step without a prescription for all women.

The FDA announced on Thursday that it would allow all women with child-bearing potential to purchase the emergency contraceptive over-the-counter without any age or point-of-sale barriers.

Plan B-One Step (levonorgestrel) is a form of the "morning-after pill," a type of emergency contraception that drastically reduces the chance of pregnancy after a woman has engaged in unprotected sex. There are currently three types of morning-after pills for sale in the U.S.: Plan B One-Step, Plan B, and ella. Plan B is currently available for women 17 and older over the counter, and requires a prescription for those under the age limit. Ella requires a prescription regardless of age.