EC Over the Counter

What is EC?

Often called the “morning after pill,” EC refers to the different types of pills women can take to prevent pregnancy after unprotected vaginal intercourse. Plan B is a brand of pill designed and approved by the FDA specifically for emergency contraception. But many brands of birth control pills have also been shown to be effective as emergency contraception if taken in certain doses at certain times. To learn more about using the pill for emergency contraception, consult this chart.

How EC Works

EC lowers the risk of pregnancy when started within 120 hours of unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. And the sooner EC is administered, the better it works. This is why birth control advocates have been working so hard to secure over-the-counter sales of EC.

Specifically, EC needs to be started within five days — or 120 hours — after unprotected intercourse or contraceptive failure. When started within 72 hours, EC can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75 to 89 percent.

EC works by either preventing ovulation, which is the releasing of an egg by the ovary, or by preventing fertilization, which is when the sperm joins the egg. EC is a form of contraception, which means it prevents pregnancy before it happens. EC cannot cause an abortion in women who are already pregnant, and it won't affect a developing embryo. This is important to keep in mind because those who oppose EC distort the facts, claiming that EC causes abortions rather than prevents pregnancy.

Remaining Barriers

While federal approval was a vital step in expanding access to EC, barriers remain. EC is now available over the counter, but which counters? And where?

Since approval of EC in the late 1990s, timely access has been compromised by pharmacists who refuse to fill valid prescriptions because of their own personal biases. For women concerned about a possible pregnancy, this means delayed care — if not an outright denial of care. Take Vivian, an Illinois woman, who was refused by so many pharmacists that she could not get EC until one o'clock in the morning, or, Catherine, from West Virginia, who was completely unable to find a pharmacist to fill her prescription in time.

Individual stores have played a role in denying access, too, by refusing to keep EC in stock. In March 2006, Wal-Mart announced that its pharmacies nationwide would stock EC, but it was not until April 2007 that the company notified Planned Parenthood that its new EC policy would ensure that customers “receive their prescriptions or OTC products in store without discrimination (no harassment or lectures),” “without delay,” and “without judgment."   This was a huge victory for women’s health, but not all drugstores or chains have made the same promises.

In order for over-the-counter access to EC to make a real difference in the lives of women, pharmacies, health centers, doctors' offices, and hospitals must keep EC in stock and readily available. Pharmacies and drugstores with employees who oppose birth control, including EC, because of their personal biases must still ensure that women get the health care they need — without discrimination or delay.

As always, Planned Parenthood is keeping its pledge to make EC available to all women — including teens. Teens under 18, as well as other women, can still access EC the old-fashioned way — with a prescription.

At a Counter Near You

Now that EC is available over the counter, Planned Parenthood health centers across the country are poised to be women's “counter of choice.” Call, toll-free, 1-800-230-PLAN (1-800-230-7526) to find the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you. Many Planned Parenthood health centers have weekend and evening hours to help women get the services they need, when they need them — fast.

For those far from a Planned Parenthood health center, EC is also available at college, public, and women's health centers; from private doctors; and in hospital emergency rooms — unless they are affiliated with religious organizations that oppose the use of birth control.