EC Timeline:
The Road to Getting EC in Pharmacies in the U.S.

1997			Washington state launches a successful pharmacy access pilot program, becoming the first U.S. state to directly distribute EC through pharmacies.
1998			FDA approves Preven, the first dedicated ECP product for use in the U.S.
			November Washington state begins providing pharmacist reimbursement for initiation of EC.
1999			FDA approves Plan B, the first progestin-only ECP available in the U.S.
			A World Health Organization-supported study (PDF-176K) finds that the levonorgestrel regimen is more effective and has fewer side effects than the Yuzpe regimen.
2000			The American Medical Association (PDF-580K) approves a policy supporting increased availability for emergency contraceptives.
			California forms a series of local demonstration projects for pharmacist-physician EC collaborative protocols.
			Minnesota’s first collaborative practice agreement for pharmacy access to EC is initiated with the Family Tree Clinic and a local pharmacy.
2001			The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (PDF-448K) supports over-the-counter access to EC.
			New Mexico gives prescribing authority to select pharmacists who work under protocols from the Board of Pharmacy. (This change would eventually be used to permit EC pharmacy access).
			April Alaska State Board of Pharmacy adopts general regulations permitting pharmacists to establish collaborative practice agreements with prescribers.
2002			January California becomes first state to pass dedicated EC pharmacy access legislation, making it the second state to provide EC services.
			April The Alaska Board of Pharmacy approves collaborative protocols enabling pharmacists to dispense EC.
			July San Francisco Health Plan (PDF-36K) becomes the first community health plan in California to cover the cost of pharmacist counseling for EC.
			September Washington state publishes data that their EC pharmacy program saved the state nearly $22 million in Medicated dollars related to pregnancies and infant care costs.
			November Oregon presents PRAMS data supporting increased access to EC.
			December New Mexico approves regulations for pharmacists to provide EC directly to consumers.
			A World Health Organization study (PDF-104K) supports single dosing and 120 hour interval for levonorgestrel.
			The Alan Guttmacher Institute estimates that EC could have prevented 51,000 abortions in the U.S. in 2000.
2003			January Blue Cross of California offers network pharmacists reimbursement for EC assessment.
			April Women’s Capital Corporation submits FDA application to make Plan B over-the-counter.
			June Hawaii passes legislation to become fifth state to allow pharmacy access to EC.
			November New York State Office of the State Comptroller announces state would save $452 million with improved access to EC.
			December Joint meeting of FDA Nonprescription Drugs and Reproductive Health Advisory Committees votes 23-4 in favor of OTC Plan B.
2004			February Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc. completes acquisition of Women's Capital Corporation and Plan B.
			The FDA extends its deadline until May 21, 2004 to review of adolescent use data.
			May FDA issues a “Not-Approvable” letter for Plan B OTC switch.
			June New Hampshire’s governor vetoes the EC pharmacy access bill.
			July Maine passes legislation to become the sixth state to permit pharmacists to furnish EC directly to women.
			Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc submits a formal response to the FDA in support of for dual access to Plan B.
			September Hawaii’s Administrative Rules for direct pharmacy access to EC are approved.
			December Hawaii’s EC pharmacy access program rules signed by governor.
2005		January FDA makes no decision by established deadline on revised Barr application to make EC available OTC and is sued by Center for Reproductive Rights for not following its own procedure.
		June New Hampshire passes legislation to become seventh state to allow pharmacy access to EC.
		Senate committee approves nomination of Crawford as FDA Commissioner.
		August FDA announces to further delay regarding a decision on Plan B’s OTC application and enters a 60-day public comment period.
		Susan Wood resigns from FDA, bringing additional national attention to the EC topic.
		September Massachusetts Senate and House override governor’s veto and becomes eighth state to allow pharmacy access to EC.
		Lester Crawford resigns his post as FDA Commissioner.
		October Sixty-day public comment period for Plan B ends. FDA takes no action on Plan B application.
		November GAO releases report: process in reviewing Plan B for OTC highly unusual.
2006		March Bush nominates Von Eschenbach for FDA Commissioner. Sens Murray and Clinton place hold on nomination over Plan B application delay.
		Wal-Mart implements policy to stock and dispense EC in all of its pharmacies nationwide.
		Vermont passes legislation to become  the ninth state to allow pharmacy access to EC.
			August FDA Approves Plan B for Non-Prescription Sale for Women 18 and Older

A number of states have introduced legislation to improve access to EC in pharmacies.

Learn more about EC and Pharmacies in your state.

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