US FDA changes Plan B label to say it does not cause abortion

It explains that Plan B One-Step works before the release of an egg from the ovary and as a result, usually stops or delays the release of an egg.

Contraception has come under renewed pressure in the United States after the Supreme Court in June overturned the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling that recognised the constitutional right to an abortion and legalised it nationwide.

The FDA also issued an updated question-and-answer section on its website, where the question “Is Plan B One-Step an abortifacient (causing abortion)” is answered with “No.”

The FDA said that current science suggests Plan B One-Step works by inhibiting or delaying ovulation and midcycle hormonal changes. It said evidence supports the conclusion that the pill has no direct effect on fertilisation or implantation.

Foundation Consumer Healthcare, which owns the Plan B brand, had requested approval to modify some of the mechanism of action information on the label, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said.

Generic versions of the morning-after pill will also need to change their label, it said.