Morning-after pill available in Idaho

BOISE – One of the latest forms of birth control has arrived in Idaho’s Planned Parenthoods, but not everyone is welcoming the debut.

Planned Parenthood of Idaho began distributing Plan B emergency contraception Friday, three months after the Federal Drug Administration gave the morning-after pill over-the-counter status, but only for those over age 18. Those 17 and younger still need a prescription.

Although the drug has already been available over the counter for the past few weeks at pharmacies such as Rite-Aid and Walgreens, some Idaho groups say making the drug more accessible could be a bad idea.

Plan B is not the abortion pill, RU-486 or mifepristone; it is used to prevent pregnancy and will not work on a woman who is already pregnant.

The morning-after pill is a concentrated dose of the most common ingredient in regular birth control pills. When taken within 72 hours after intercourse, the two-pill dose can lower the risk of pregnancy by up to 89 percent.

Planned Parenthood of Idaho plans to sell a pack of pills for $35 to those over 18 without a prescription.

Opponents contend making Plan B so readily available could lead to an increase in risky sexual behavior.

When sex becomes less risky, it’s going to increase the number of people having unprotected sex, said Bryan Fischer, executive director of the Idaho Values Alliance.

“Nobody is forcing Planned Parenthood to do this,” Fischer said. “They can make a choice to send different message to folks in Idaho: Sex is sacred and ought to be preserved for marriage.”

But in a state where 10 percent of live births each day are to teenagers 15 to 19 years old, better access to pregnancy prevention methods could help reduce teen pregnancy and abortion rates, said Rebecca Poedy, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Idaho, in a statement.

“Over-the-counter Plan B is a major stepping stone toward accomplishing those goals,” she said.

Studies have also shown that access to emergency contraception does not lead to more promiscuity in teens, the statement said.

Plan B is available at Walgreens and Rite Aid for $40. Planned Parenthood will adjust its $35 rate on a sliding scale, according to income.