June 19, 2013
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's losing battle against wider access to Plan B emergency contraception was widely viewed as politically motivated, and undermined its credibility in a way that could embolden pharmaceutical companies to challenge the agency when it rejects approval for other controversial products, experts say.
June 12, 2013
A New York federal judge said Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Justice's proposal to provide Plan B One-Step emergency contraception without a prescription complied with an earlier order to make levonorgestrel-based contraceptives available without age or prescription requirements, resolving a 12-year battle for OTC status.
May 10, 2013
A New York federal judge on Friday refused to suspend his order mandating unfettered access to Plan B and similar emergency contraception, but said he would delay requiring compliance so that the Obama administration can pursue a "frivolous" appeal at the Second Circuit.
May 07, 2013
In a hearing marked by scathing rhetoric, a New York federal judge on Tuesday accused the Obama administration of using an "administrative filibuster" to restrict access to Plan B emergency contraception, while also signaling he would let the Second Circuit decide whether to delay wider access to the morning-after pill.
May 06, 2013
Emergency contraception advocates asked a New York federal judge Monday to reject the Food and Drug Administration's challenge to an order that would force the FDA to allow the morning-after pill to be sold over the counter with no restrictions, ahead of a Tuesday hearing on the FDA's stay motion.
April 16, 2013
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shouldn't appeal a recent federal court ruling ordering over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptive Plan B, medical groups said in a letter released Tuesday, arguing the drug is safe and doesn't encourage risky sexual behavior.
April 05, 2013
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration must make Plan B emergency contraception available without a prescription and without an age limit, a New York federal judge ruled Thursday, saying the agency had acted arbitrarily when it restricted access to the drug.