An assumed victory in women’s health rights came on Aug. 24 when the Food and Drug Administration approved over-the-counter sale of the contraceptive Plan B.

Women 18 and over will be able to purchase Plan B, the so-called morning after pill, at a pharmacy with licensed pharmacists on staff, while women 17 and under will still need a prescription. The goal is to have Plan B available over the counter by the end of the year once packaging and distribution issues are sorted out.

Plan B is used as emergency oral contraception when a woman has had unprotected sex or when another contraceptive method has failed. It is made from the same chemicals as one-a-day birth control except at higher doses and a different dosing regiment.

When taken within 72 hours of intercourse, the pill is 89 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.

Dean of Students Jim Hill is unsure of what protocol Norris Health Center has for Plan B.

“There needs to be a meeting with the Director of Health and I to discuss the future of Plan B at UWM,” Hill said.

Julie Bonner, executive director of Norris Health Center, said on average a few women a week stop into Norris to obtain emergency contraception.

The over-the-counter Plan B pill faces opposition from those who view the contraceptive as a form of early abortion.

Deirdre McQuade, a spokeswoman for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, spoke out against the FDA’s decision.

“Without the benefit of a doctor’s supervision, many women will be unaware of this abortifacient action and the other risks posed by Plan B,” McQuade said.

McQuade also urges pharmacists not to distribute Plan B to women.

Senior Emily Whitstone thinks over-the-counter Plan B is beneficial but has concerns.

“(Plan B) will be too easy to access. There should be a limit on how many times a girl can use Plan B a year,” Whitstone said.

Duramed, a subsidiary of Barr Pharmaceuticals, will manage distribution for the contraceptive. Barr Pharmaceuticals is the leader in oral contraceptives. Duramed has implemented the Convenient Access, Responsible Education program, which has guidelines for over-the-counter Plan B.

One of the guidelines is to provide information to women and healthcare workers, including a toll-free telephone number. Another is to make sure only licensed pharmacists will dispense the pill. Other guidelines include keeping Plan B behind the counter, only distributing with prescription or proof of age and monitoring the effectiveness of the age restriction and safe distribution.

Short-term side effects from Plan B include nausea, headache, dizziness and breast tenderness, which are similar to the side effects of regular birth control.

Bonner said Plan B is not completely effective but the effectiveness relies on how quickly the dose is taken after unprotected sex. Bonner also said Plan B does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases and the best protection against STDs is a condom.

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