Spring Break
Birth control prices remain low
Plan A still cheaper than Plan B on campus
Jessica Leggin / Campus Editor
Issue date: 2/10/09 Section: News
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At Health Services, birth control pills are sold for $25 a month, compared to Plan B, which is sold for $30 each purchase.
"It is more costly to get Plan B," said Amy Malmen, the pharmacy director at Health Services.
She said when it comes to the rising prices of birth control pills, some have switched to generic pills to lower the cost.
"Also there are insurance plans that are covering them," she said. "I think the cost to the consumer has gone down, and price is really not a consideration."
However, in the case of a condom malfunction, an irregular use of birth control pills or unprotected sex, Plan B might be the answer.
The emergency oral contraceptive, Plan B is known as a back-up plan to prevent pregnancy within 72 hours of sexual intercourse.
In 2006, the Food and Drug Administration decided to allow women, over the age of 18, to purchase Plan B over the counter instead of having to wait to receive a prescription from their doctor.
According to Plan B's official Web site, the emergency contraceptive reduces the chance of a woman getting pregnant by 89 percent.
However, Plan B is not to be used as a routine contraceptive, such as birth control pills.
Malmen said women who take Plan B as a routine contraceptive are at risk of side effects.
"Some women will experience nausea, fatigue, headache and changes in their menstrual cycle," she said. "You are just opening up yourself to a greater risk."
The difference between birth control pills and Plan B is the higher dosage of levonorgestrel.
Plan B consists of two pills that are supposed to be taken 12 hours apart from each other for effectiveness. If a woman is pregnant, Plan B will not act as an "abortion pill."
Malmen said there is no need for concern if a woman takes Plan B if pregnant.
"It will not affect an existing pregnancy," she said.
When it comes to the sale of Plan B at Health Services, Malmen said a system is not set in place to monitor how many times a student purchases the emergency contraceptive.
"We can not do that," she said. "It is a confidentiality standpoint. By law, if they give us a photo ID that proves they are 18, then we are required to give it to them."
Malmen said the pharmacy has noticed multiple orders for Plan B.
"If I do see a student constantly buying, if they are receptive of talking to me, then I'll encourage them to get on Plan A," said Malmen.
Birth control pills are considered to be Plan A.
Malmen said when a student purchases Plan B, the pharmacy provides the student with condoms and an instruction sheet.
"Sometimes they go back to their room and they forget what the instructions are," she said. "Also, it is a reminder telling them if you are going to be sexually active, then they should think about getting on Plan A."
Malmen said overall, she approves of Plan B becoming an over-the-counter drug.
"I would rather have it readily available to the women that need it and are taking it correctly," she said.
Malmen said she thinks only a few women are taking the emergency contraceptive incorrectly.
"I feel that a vast majority of the women are taking it correctly, and I do not think they should get penalized because of a few," she said. "We need it out there for women to get it and use it right away."
Jessica Leggin can be reached at 581-7942 or at jmleggin@eiu.edu.
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