FDA Experts Back New ‘Morning-After’ Pill

A panel of experts has endorsed approval of a new “morning-after pill” that works longer than the ones now on the market. The panel voted June 17 to recommend approval of ellaOne, made by HRA Pharma. Canadian Press wrote about the vote. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is not required to follow its expert panels’ advice. However, it often does. Studies done by the drug maker showed that ellaOne prevents pregnancy when taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. Plan B, an older brand, can be taken up to 3 days after sex. It is made by Teva Pharmaceuticals. Generic versions also are sold. In a study, 1,700 women received either ellaOne or Plan B between 3 and 5 days after sex. The risk of becoming pregnant was 1.8% of women who took ellaOne. It was 2.6% for those who took Plan B. Abortion opponents have criticized the makers of ellaOne.