WASHINGTON, April 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it won't appeal a federal court order directing it to permit the Plan B drug to be available without prescription.
The March 23 court order directed the FDA to act within 30 days, to permit Plan B (levonorgestrel) to be made available to women 17 and older without a prescription.
Plan B is an emergency contraception drug designed to prevent pregnancy when taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse.
"In accordance with the court's order, and consistent with the scientific findings since 2005 by the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, FDA sent a letter to the manufacturer of Plan B that the company may, upon submission and approval of an appropriate application, market Plan B without a prescription to women 17 years of age and older," the FDA said.
Plan B is manufactured by Duramed Research Inc. of Bala Cynwyd, Pa.
