FDA Approves Generic Version Of Emergency Contraception Pills

Main Category: Regulatory Affairs / Drug Approvals
Also Included In: Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry;  Sexual Health / STDs
Article Date: 26 Jun 2009 - 5:00 PDT

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FDA on Wednesday approved Watson Pharmaceuticals' generic version of the emergency contraceptive Plan B, the Wall Street Journal reports. The generic drug will be available without a prescription to women ages 18 and older on Aug. 24, when Duramed Pharmaceuticals' market exclusivity for Plan B expires (Kalish, Wall Street Journal, 6/25). The generic version will be available to women ages 17 and younger with a prescription, according to an FDA press release (FDA Web site, 6/24). Watson will market the generic version under the name Next Choice (AP/Washington Post, 6/24).

A one-time use pack of the brand-name product, Plan B, currently costs $49.99 through the online retailer DrugStore.com. According to Bloomberg, generic drugs usually cost 30% to 80% less than brand-name versions (Larkin, Bloomberg, 6/24).

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