Plan B One-Step, a pill used to prevent pregnancy up to 72 hours after unprotected sexual intercourse, can now be sold in drug stores in Rutherford County and beyond without a prescription to females of all ages. This news in after the Justice Department dropped its efforts Monday to prohibit access of the drug to girls under 15.

This decision will likely fuel hot debate among those who say Plan B should be available to every woman and girl and opponents who assert that it will allow youngsters to be promiscuous. Some conservative foes also contend the morning after pill is equivalent to abortion.

In late April, the Food and Drug Administration expanded the availability of the drug, which had been sold without a doctor’s authorization to girls and women only 17 and older. Age 15 and older became the new standard.

However, a federal judge said at the time that the decision was politically motivated and ruled that there should be no age limit blocking access to the Plan B.

The Justice Department had hoped to win on appeal but Monday reversed course and announced it will comply with the judge's ruling.

Plan B is currently available in sections of stores where family planning or women’s health products are displayed so that customers can readily purchase it in the event a pharmacy counter is not open.

Meanwhile, pharmacies are under no requirement to stock the morning after pill, for whatever reason they might have, including religious objections.

Source: 

ABC News
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