Barr refiles morning-after pill bid with US FDA

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. has
refiled its application to sell the Plan B “morning-after” pill
without a prescription, the company and U.S. regulators said on
Friday.

Barr spokeswoman Carol Cox and FDA spokeswoman Susan Bro
both said the company had resubmitted the Plan B application
but declined to comment on the contents.

Last month, the agency urged Barr to reapply to sell the
emergency contraceptive without a prescription to women 18 and
older.

The company originally had sought approval to sell Plan B
over the counter without an age limit but later revised the
request to 16 and older at the FDA’s suggestion. The drug can
prevent pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of sexual
intercourse.

The bid to ease access has stalled at the FDA for years
amid fierce lobbying by supporters and opponents.

Backers say wider availability could reduce the number of
abortions, while opponents argue it may increase promiscuity,
particularly among teenagers.

Barr shares fell 24 cents to close at $57.80 on the New
York Stock Exchange on Friday.