THE NEW ‘DUAL-LABEL’
EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION ENVIRONMENT

EC IS NOW AVAILABLE OVER-THE-COUNTER. On August 24, 2006, the FDA approved over-the-counter (OTC) sales of emergency contraception (EC) for adult women only, while keeping it a prescription product for women younger than 18. In this new ‘dual-label’ environment, women 18 years of age and older can buy EC directly from the pharmacy upon the presentation of a valid government issued ID.

EXPANED ACCESS TO EC IS A PARTIAL VICTORY. The FDA’s decision to approve EC access for women 18 and older is an incomplete victory. While the FDA’s decision expands
access to EC for some women, it does not go far enough to improve access to EC for all women. Many women, due to the age restriction, ID requirement, or cost increase, will be excluded from timely OTC access as a result of the FDA’s decision.

TEENS UNDER THE AGE OF 18 ARE STILL REQUIRED TO OBTAIN A PRESCRIPTION FOR EC. Women under 18 can get a prescription for the pills from any physician and many other reproductive health care providers. Many clinicians require a woman to come in for an office visit before prescribing emergency contraception. EC is available to teens, without identification, at participating pharmacies in the following states: AK, CA, HI, NH, NM, MA, ME, VT, and WA.

TEENS HAVE BEEN DENIED TIMELY ACCESS TO EC. There are no medical or scientific reasons for imposing an age restriction on OTC sales of EC. EC is safe for women of all ages. Because EC works better the sooner you take it, it is important to obtain EC as soon as possible after unprotected sex. Maintaining the medically unnecessary and burdensome prescription requirement for teens will lead to delays, potentially causing them to miss the window of opportunity to avoid an unintended pregnancy.

THE EC KNOWLEDGE GAP PERSISTS. One third of adult women are still not aware that there is something they can do to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. In light of the FDA’s decision, increased efforts are needed to explain EC access in this new ‘dual-label’ environment and to promote knowledge and use of this safe, effective, back up birth control method.

THE BUYBC CAMPAIGN REMAINS STEADFAST IN ITS COMMITMENT TO INCREASE EC ACCESS THROUGH EDUCATION AND OUTREACH. EC still remains the “best kept secret” in women’s health care. In order to truly expand EC access to all women in the new ‘dual-label’ environment, improved public education is needed to ensure that all women can back up their birth control with EC. The BUYBC campaign is dedicated to providing the information and resources necessary to allow all women, especially young women, to access EC in a timely manner.

2007: The New ‘Dual-Label’ EC Environment
Visit our new teen website www.IneedEC.info