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The Emergency Contraception Website - Your website for the "Morning After"

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About…

How to Get Emergency Contraception

 

In the U.S., progestin-only EC is available on the shelf without age restrictions to women and men. Look for Plan B One-Step, Take Action, Next Choice One-Dose, My Way or other generics in the family planning aisle.

 

Will I need identification to buy emergency contraception?


No – after years of court battles, progestin-only EC is finally available for sale on store shelves with no restrictions. That means anyone (women and men) can buy Plan B One-Step or its generic forms (like Take Action or Next Choice One Dose) without having to show ID. Until April 2016, the packaging for the generic products used to say that it was intended for use by women aged 17 and older, although that was not an enforceable restriction. Some of that older packaging may still be on store shelves, but the generics are identical to the brand, and anyone can buy them without showing ID.

 

Since regulations on the sale of EC have changed frequently, it can be quite confusing. Below is some information about how the different brands of EC are sold. If you want to use ella, call the pharmacy first to be sure that it is in stock.

  • Progestin-only EC (like Plan B One-Step and its generic forms Take Action, Next Choice One Dose and My Way) are approved for unrestricted sale on store shelves. Anyone can buy it without needing to show ID. Plan B One-Step usually costs about $50, and the generics cost about $40.

  • You have the right to buy progestin-only EC at a pharmacy without showing ID. If someone denies you EC, let us know. The American Society for Emergency Contraception has a fact sheet explaining the current regulations for purchase of EC that you can print and bring to the pharmacy: Emergency Contraception: A Guide for Pharmacies and Retailers.
  • If you want to use insurance to purchase EC, go to the pharmacy counter and ask for help.
  • You can order a generic form of Plan B One-Step at www.afterpill.com for $20 + $5 shipping. This site does not offer expedited shipping, so it’s not meant for emergency use, but you can stock up and keep it on hand for future use.
  • ella is sold by prescription only, regardless of age. You can also order ella online at KwikMed or prjktruby  for $67, including shipping.

If someone denies you access to emergency contraception for any reason, please let us know.

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**PLEASE NOTE: AS OF AUGUST 31, 2020, THIS SITE IS NO LONGER BEING UPDATED**

 

This website is operated by the Office of Population Research at Princeton University and has no connection with any pharmaceutical company or for-profit organization.

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