Wyeth’s new oral contraceptive, consisting of levonorgestrel drags 90 mcg/ethinylestradiol 20 mcg (Lybrel), is now avail able by prescription in pharmacies. This is the first low-dose combination tablet that can be taken 365 days a year, with out a placebo phase or a pill-free interval.
Regardless of their personal opinions or religious beliefs about the morning-after contraceptive, pharmacists are now required to dispense the Plan B, a federal appeals court ruled Wednesday.
The case could affect policy across the U.S. A supermarket pharmacy in Olympia, Washington, failed in its challenge of changes made to the 2007 regulations requiring all Washington pharmacies to have and dispense the product. Ralph’s Thriftway and two pharmacists employed elsewhere had sued Washington state officials over the regulation.
