Plan 'B' pill popularity increasing in Hawaii

[bliss_eternal]

Plan 'B' pill popularity increasing in Hawaii


By Treena Shapiro


The state's second-largest health insurance company and some large pharmacy chains are reporting an increase in the purchase of Plan B, an emergency contraceptive that was approved for over-the-counter sales last year.

No agency appears to be tracking emergency contraception use statewide, but individual providers say evidence suggests that the purchase of Plan B is on the rise.

Officials say it's too early to determine what the impact is on unplanned pregnancies and abortions, but clinics say they've seen fewer women coming in for pregnancy tests.

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A BACKUP MEASURE

Commonly known as the "morning-after pill," Plan B is a two-pill form of emergency contraception that contains a hormone which can prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation or fertilization. While not intended to replace traditional — and more effective — forms of contraception, it provides a backup for women wanting to avoid an unintended pregnancy after unprotected sex.

"It reduces the need for abortion and reduces the number of mothers who aren't ready because they continued when they didn't want to be pregnant," Rahall said.

The Federal Drug Administration's approval of Plan B as an over-the-counter medication across the nation ended a three-year debate over whether the medication was safe for all women. The FDA rules require teens to receive consultation before purchasing the pills.

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For entire article, picture, etc. visit:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070916/NEWS15/709160360/1001/NEWS15

[uppityperson]

1. Does anyone know how much it casts? I'm out of the loop on that. Thanks.

[bliss_eternal]

2. All I could find through searching...

From a three year old article:

Cost could deter some women from using emergency contraception too regularly. Each one-time-use pack today costs $20 to $30, about as much as a month's worth of regular birth control pills. It's not clear if the over-the-counter price would change.

taken from:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2003-12-16-fda-pill_x.htm


From an excerpt of the Dr. Drew(sex advice)show:

The morning-after pill costs about $20.00. This may seem like a lot of money, but it is literally nothing compared to the cost of raising a child. If you think twenty bucks is hard to find, try feeding a kid for eighteen years!

taken from:
http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/7133/pill.html

[uppityperson]

3. Thanks for that info. Here is a bit to pass on also, a great website.

http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/ecinfo.htm
Ideas of what combos rather = the Rxd one, just in case you need to know.