Issues Advocacy: Plan B Emergency Contraception

In August 2006, after more than 6 years of controversy and delay, the FDA approved over the counter sales of Plan B emergency contraception for women 18 and older. 

National Organization for Women Special Report: Limited Success: One Year of Access to Emergency Conraception

To see a timeline of the FDA's Plan B review please visit:

Center For Reproductive Rights: The Fight for Emergency Contraception: Every Second Counts

NARA Pro-Choice America: The FDA and Emergency Contraception: After Three Years of Waiting, It's Finally Available Over the Counter.

Planned Parenthood: Emergency Contraception: History and Access

Young Women's Access to Plan B

Minors continue to need a medical prescription to obtain Plan B emergency contraception. 

NARA Pro-Choice America: Emergency Contraception (EC) Can Help Reduce The Teen Pregnancy Rate

Maine Refusal Clause

Maine medical providers, including pharmacists, have the right to refuse to provide Plan B emergency contraception if they morally object to the medication:

No private institution or physician or no agent or employee of such institution or physician shall be prohibited from refusing to provide family planning services when such refusal is based upon religious or conscientious objection.[1973, c. 624, § 1 (new).] Maine Rev. Stat. tit. 22, 1903 (1973)

Guttmacher Institute: Striking a Balance Between a Provider's Right to Refuse and a Patient's Right to Receive Care

Planned Parenthood: Refusal Clauses: A Threat to Reproductive Rights

The National Conference of State Legislatures Pharmacist Conscience Clauses: Laws and Legislation

Take Action

Find out if your local pharmacies provide Plan B using the NOW EC Action Tool Kit.

For a list of Maine pharmacies that stock and dispense Plan B please visit:

Family Planning Association of Maine-Maine Pharmacies

Feminist Campus: Get EC on Your Campus!

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