Timeline: A history of Plan B

As the FDA prepares to announce whether the contraceptive can be sold directly from drug store shelves, here’s a timeline of its development and accessibility in the United States.

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1999

In 1999, the FDA approved use of levonorgestrel, an emergency contraceptive that would be sold under the brand name Plan B. It consisted of two tablets, the first to be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex and the second to be taken 12 hours later. Around the time of its approval, it was reported that a study sponsored by the World Health Organization showed Plan B caused less nausea and vomiting than other so-called "morning-after" contraceptives.

/ AP

In 2003, the drug's manufacturer filed an FDA application to make the drug available over-the-counter. The notion of making the emergency contraceptive available without a prescription became a political flashpoint, with debate mostly centering on whether it should be available to minors. Here, a pharmacist holds up a dose of Plan B at his pharmacy.

Charlie Riedel / AP

2006

In November 2006, the FDA announced that women ages 18 and older would be able to purchase Plan B without a prescription. However, the need for a prescription would be kept in place for minors. The company that makes Plan B says the policy change led to a 120 percent increase in sales. Here, Clara Presler, Anne Wamgh, Lauren Brannon and Adrienne Atiles protest the FDA's decision to only open over-the-counter access to Plan B to adults.

Tom Starkweather / Bloomberg News.

2009

In 2009, Plan B One-Step came on the market. This version of the contraceptive required women to take only one tablet instead of two. The two-tablet version is longer marketed in the United States.

/ AP

2011

The federal government has until Dec. 7 to respond to a request from the drug's manufacturer, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, to make Plan B available for purchase direct from drug store shelves, just like contraceptives such as condoms.

George Widman / AP

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Timeline: A history of Plan B

As the FDA prepares to announce whether the contraceptive can be sold directly from drug store shelves, here’s a timeline of its development and accessibility in the United States.

Featured Photo Galleries