Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (NYSE: TEVA; TASE: TEVA) today announced that its emergency contraceptive Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel) 1.5 mg tablets are now widely available in the aisles of major retailers throughout the US with no age or point-of-sale restrictions. Teva added that Plan B One-Step is the first emergency contraceptive to be available for over-the-counter sale to all consumers.
Teva Women's Health VP & general manager US brand pharmaceuticals Martin Berndt said, “Since the US Food and Drug Administration approved Plan B One-Step with no age or point-of-sale restrictions on June 20, we have worked tirelessly to bring the product to market for all consumers as soon as possible. The availability of Plan B One-Step® in the aisles of retailers nationwide ensures improved access to a product that has been clinically evaluated and is a safe and effective back-up birth control method for women of all reproductive ages.”
Teva stressed that with Plan B One-Step available nationwide, women of all ages can be in control of their reproductive health by taking an additional step to prevent an unintended pregnancy after contraceptive failure or unprotected sex.
Teva Global Women's Health senior VP and general manager Jill DeSimon said, “Emergency contraception gives women a last chance to prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex. Women have faced challenges to obtaining emergency contraception for far too long, and the availability of Plan B One-Step in the aisle for all consumers is a historic step forward.”
Teva said it is committed to ensuring Plan B One-Step is available to all women who need it. As such, the price of Plan B One-Step to wholesale and retail outlets will remain unchanged as it transitions over-the-counter. Plan B One-Step will also continue to be sold to hospitals and health clinics at a subsidized price for women who may not otherwise be able to afford it.
DeSimone added, “As a leader in women’s health, Teva is committed to supporting and empowering women by providing access to Plan B One-Step when they need it. Teva remains committed to ongoing consumer education on Plan B One-Step and will continue to work closely on education initiatives in partnership with healthcare professionals.”
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on August 7, 2013
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