Statement on Proposal to Expand Coverage of OTC Contraception

Updated: 10/22/24

As the maker of Plan B One‑Step® emergency contraception, Foundation Consumer Healthcare (FCH) is fully supportive of efforts to expand access to all forms of contraception. We believe that all women should have access to a broad range of options, including Plan B, so they can make the best possible choices for their sexual health.

The notion of broad availability is the reason we fought for over‑the‑counter access to Plan B in 2013 — to ensure that women of all ages would be able to have access to this critical backup birth control option, without needing to show ID or provide a prescription.

To further support access in the U.S., FCH continues to donate units of Plan B to advocacy organizations, health clinics and college student groups around the country, at no cost. These groups then distribute Plan B for free to their communities, which are often underserved or in contraceptive deserts. FCH has donated more than 700,000 Plan B tablets to more than 1,200 organizations across all 50 states. We take great pride in these partnerships and look forward to this program’s continued impact.

We are carefully reviewing the proposed rule to determine how we can best support its objectives. This includes providing ongoing education about Plan B — what it is, how it works, and how it differs from daily contraceptive pills.

About Plan B and The Importance of Education

Plan B is emergency contraception that prevents pregnancy before it starts by temporarily delaying ovulation. While Plan B is backup birth control, it is not meant to be used as a form of primary birth control (like daily contraceptive pills) — this emergency contraceptive product is FDA‑approved only for use after unprotected sex, and must be taken within 72 hours. In addition to broad access, our primary focus is to educate consumers and various stakeholders on the proper use of Plan B, and its mode of action.