CHRONOLOGY-Key dates in morning-after pill controversy
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Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. (BRL.N: Quote, Profile, Research) is seeking U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval to sell its morning-after contraceptive without a prescription.
The drug, called Plan B, helps prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual intercourse.
Following are some key dates for the drug’s application:
*July 28, 1999 - The FDA approves Plan B as a prescription drug for emergency use to prevent pregnancy.
*April 21, 2003 - Women’s Capital Corp., which later sells Plan B to Barr, submits an application to the FDA seeking approval to sell the drug over-the-counter for women of all ages.
*Dec. 16, 2003 - An FDA panel of outside advisers overwhelmingly recommends the agency approve Plan B for nonprescription use, voting 23-4.
*May 6, 2004 - The FDA rejects wider sales of Plan B, citing concerns about use of the product by young girls. The agency suggests Barr provide data showing young girls can use the pills safely, or seek permission to sell the product without a prescription just to females age 16 and older.
*July 22, 2004 - Barr resubmits its application, this time asking to sell the drug over-the-counter to girls and women 16 and older.
*April 6, 2005 - Democratic Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Patty Murray of Washington announce they plan to block a Senate vote on U.S. President George W. Bush’s nominee to head the FDA, acting FDA Commissioner Lester Crawford, until a decision is made whether to approve nonprescription sales of Plan B.
