Until now, the contraceptive product € which prevents pregnancy if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex € was available only for those 18 and over who presented a valid ID to a pharmacist behind the counter. FDA Says 'Yes' to Plan B Morning-After Pill for 17-Year-Olds Well, it's official. Providing birth control, including emergency birth control, to young women helps them make responsible decisions and avoid unintended pregnancy." No word, though, from the. Has the highest rate of teen pregnancy among the most developed countries in the world.

The Food and Drug Administration said it will allow 17-year-olds to purchase the Plan B "morning after" pill over the counter. But it also said the product won't become available to women of that age until the manufacturer of Plan B submits and receives approval for a labeling change € which could take some time. In a brief statement released on its website , the FDA said it would not appeal a judge's decision issued last month directing the agency to make emergency contraception available to 17-year-olds. Women's-health activists were cheered by the news. Younger teens needed a prescription to get access to it.

"Today's announcement by the FDA is a strong statement to American women that their health comes before politics," says Laurianne Richards, president of Planned Parenthood.