The FDA is currently on track to re-label over-the-counter Plan B® One-Step without an age restriction on December 7th. Ideally, this would also mean the product would be on the shelves next to the condoms in pharmacies, grocery stores and “big box” retailers (e.g. Wal-Mart and Target). Plan B One-Step sitting on the shelf means a woman will have direct access to this safe, effective back-up contraception if she needs it. This is great news as many medical experts agree Plan B One-Step and Next Choice (a generic equivalent) are safe for over-the-counter use by women of all ages.

USEFUL MEDIA RESOURCES:

• RHTP Press Release: Women’s Health Advocates Call on Obama Administration and Congress to Protect Scientific Integrity, Uphold FDA Decision on Plan B One-Step
• Label Comprehension Study: Comprehension of a prototype emergency contraception package label
  by female adolescents
• Factsheet:Emergency Contraception Over-the-Counter: The Importance of Expanding Access for Teens
• Timeline: Important Milestones in the History of FDA Approved Plan B
• Government Accountability Office Report: Decision Process to Deny Initial Application for Over-the-Counter Marketing of the Emergency Contraceptive Drug Plan B Was Unusual
• Lawsuit Over Plan B Age Restriction: March 2009 US District Court for the Eastern District of New York Ruling
• For more information on Adolescents and EC, please visit: http://www.rhtp.org/contraception/emergency/adolescents.asp

KEY MEDIA CONTACTS:

For Health Care Provider Perspectives on this Decision:

• American Academy of Pediatrics - Contact: Erin Wallace, Assistant Director for Communications, Department of Federal Affairs, 202-347-8600; ewallace@aap.org
• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - Contact: Office of Communications, 202-484-3321
• Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health- Contact: Alexandra Ringe, Assistant Director of Communications, 646-649-9907, (cell) 917-207-2290; Alexandra@prch.org
• Planned Parenthood Federation of America - Contact: Shawn Rhea, Director, Health Media, 212-273-6740, (cell) 347-949-0983; shawn.rhea@ppfa.org
• Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health - Contact: Elizabeth Kostas-Polston, PhD, APRN, WHNP-BC, Chair Elect, NPWH Board of Directors, 417-293-8605; epolston@usf.edu

For Information about Emergency Contraception and Sexual Coercion and Violence:

• Futures Without Violence – Contact: Lisa James, Director of Health, 415-678-5515; ljames@futureswithoutviolence.org

For a Historical Perspective on the Plan B One-Step Decision:

• Dr. Susan Wood, Ph.D – Dr. Wood is Director, Jacobs Institute of Women's Health, The George Washington University and the former FDA Assistant Commissioner for Women's Health who resigned from the Agency over the poor handling of the Plan B decision. Contact: 202-994-4171

For Perspectives on Unintended Pregnancy and Adolescents:

• National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unintended Pregnancy - Contact: Bill Albert, Chief Program Officer, 202-478-8510; balbert@thenc.org

To Speak with Plan B One-Step’s Sponsor Company:

• Teva Pharmaceuticals - Contact: Allison Pishko, Communications Strategies Inc, 973-635-6669; Allison.Pishko@cstratinc.com

To discuss the ongoing lawsuit against the FDA regarding its handling of the original Plan B over-the-counter decision:

• Center for Reproductive Rights - Contact: Kate Bernyk, Senior Press Officer, 917-637-3637; kbernyk@reprorights.org

To Speak with someone from RHTP:

• Contact: Kirsten Moore, President & CEO, 202-530-4401; kmoore@rhtp.org

For any other media inquiries or interview requests please contact Lydia Stuckey (lstuckey@rhtp.org).