Should morning-after pill not require Rx? FDA panel debates allowing contraceptive without prescription

Advisers to the federal Food and Drug Administration will meettoday to discuss whether a so-called morning-after pill to preventpregnancy should be sold over the counter, without the need for adoctor's prescription.

Plan B is the progestin-only emergency contraceptive pill. Itprevents 95 percent of expected pregnancies when taken in the first24 hours after intercourse. The pill prevents 89 percent of expectedpregnancies if taken within 72 hours.

Reproductive-rights groups have criticized the appointment ofthree members of the FDA's Reproductive Health Drugs AdvisoryCommittee -- Susan Crockett, David Hager and Joseph Stanford --because of their views opposing birth …