Panel favors providing emergency contraception without a prescription. (cover story)

BIRTH control; CONTRACEPTIVE drugs; NONPRESCRIPTION drugs; UNITED States. Food & Drug Administration; EXECUTIVE advisory bodies; WOMEN'S health; PUBLIC health; ABORTION

Focuses on the vote of U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committees to make emergency contraception available over-the-counter. Information on Plan B, a brand-name emergency contraception pill; Impact of the drug on public health; Percentage of U.S. women who have used emergency contraception; Number of abortions averted in 2000 due to emergency contraception according to the Alan Guttmacher Institute.