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Okay, in the US, you can get it without a Rx as well, but you have to go to a clinic, liked Planned Parenthood to get it.
I don't think it SHOULD be a pharmacy over-the-counter drug.
At Planned Parenthood, if you want to get it, they ask you some health questions and check allergies and other things for a reason - it's not safe for just anyone to take.
Just like any other drug, it can have side-effects when taken with other meds, which is another reason to have to talk to a pharmacist or someone knowledgable before taking it.
Also, if you have to go through a private meeting at Planned Parenthood, it's a little more effort than just picking it up.
I think having it THAT readily available is just asking for people to be less responsible: "Hey, it's okay if we don't have a condom. I can just stop by Walgreens and pick up a morning after pill."
Things like that should be used in accidental situations, like when a condom breaks, or whatnot. It shouldn't be available as a form of birth control, which it would be. Some girls would probably figure they don't have sex often enough to get on BC, so not just keep some of these around to pop after having sex?
But this is all just my opinion, but I think there should be SOME restriction. I mean, for gods sake, we can't even buy Sudafed without going to a pharmacist in the States anymore.

I don't think teens will use it all the time instead of getting a more healthy contreception. Why? Because the morning-after pill has some serious side effects. It can make a person extremely sick and I don't think any teen would be willing to go through it more than once or twice (if they have to). Sure, there may be the odd ball out there who would do it in that fashion, but I am pretty sure the majority will not.

I really think it's just silly to think so little of people. Just because a few will abuse it, doesn't mean it shouldn't be readily available for those who wouldn't. I mean, would you make asprin, tylenol, cold medication all prescription, just because there are people who abuse it?

Pros:

Terminating a possible pregnancy in the Comfort of your own home.
Can have support right there with you.
Don't have to wait days or weeks for a clinical Abortion.
Cheaper than a surgical abortion.
Less trama (if any at all, not everyone comes out feeling bad.)
Victim's of sexual assault will not have to rely on a doctor to prescribe them the medication.
Will not have to deal with protestors or being seen going in or out of a clinic.
Is not an invasive surgery, like that of abortion.

Cons:

Overuse and/or Abuse.
Possible complications.
Side-Effects
(but really these are with any OTC or Prescription Medication.)

The way I had it described to me by my midwife who perscribed it for me as a JUST IN CASE should our first method of birth control (condoms) fail before my husband gets his vascectomy and all that jazz, was that it is pretty much two pills of highdose type hormonal birth control.

Plan B is NOT an abortifactant (Like RU 486) it can not "dislodge" an implanted fertilized egg. It stops fertilization and/or implantation. Which is why it has to be taken no more than 72 hours and ideally ASAP.

Knowing WHAT it is and knowing that the risks involved are little to NONE, I'd say it's a good idea to sell it over the counter. But I think with the low amount of side effects of hormonal bc that it's a good idea to sell IT over the counter too. Neither Plan B or regular birth control pills are any more dangerous than Acetaminophin or Benadryl both of which you can buy over the counter.

I mean so what if it has SOME risks.

Ibuprofin can ruin your kidneys.
Asprin can destroy your stomach.
Aleve can make you break out in hives.

Eh...all medicines have SOME potential risk.

I still think it's extremely silly to say that just because a few will do it, that you should make it prescription only. Hell, if we are going to start making medicines prescription based on the negatives effects on those who use it improperly, then ALL medicines should be precription.

Nopenname- I was getting the side effects of Plan B and RU 486 mixed up. redface

No prob. The clarification was more for why I think Plan B over the counter is okay. RU 486 I'd have a bit more of a problem since it's IS an abortion in a pill. There are many more problems with that.

Plan B has some nausea and spotting and cramping symptoms. It also has the same risks of blood clot etc. That regular BC does.

This is a very good point. I can see some of the girls in my town relying on the moning after pill and taking it for granted.

I'm pro this because, knowing my doctor's office, it can take up to a month to get an appointment, EVEN if it's an emergy. By then, it's an abortion, not just a little pill.

I don't really care if girls use the morning after pill as a contraceptive. I'm sure it's unhealthy for them, but that's their choice. I only don't care if girls start using an abortion as a form of birth control. If they are willing to go through all of that and run the risk of getting very ill (or not being able to have children later in the case of an abortion), that's their business. This goes for anything in the first trimester. Beyond that, it becomes a little questionable and I think that abortions should only be allowed in special circumstances.

I do, however, think that pharmacists should provide them with information about possible side effects (including those from long term use). Other than that, it's not a baby yet, it's a clump of cells. I don't see it as being that big a deal to the moral fiber of society.

Exactly. So not just on the shelf with the makeup and hairbrushes, but not requiring a whole huge shabang with making a doctor's appointment and all that.