DeKALB | Students seeking emergency contraception may have to wait until next year before they are able to receive it without a prescription.

In August, the Food and Drug Administration ruled that the emergency contraception pill Plan B would be available without a prescription by the end of 2006. However, NIU’s Health Services may not be able to distribute it over the counter until after January 2007, said Debbie Fetting, pharmacist in the Health Services building.

Plan B, also known as ‘the morning-after pill,’ is a second chance to prevent pregnancy, said Jody Crocker, a registered nurse from the NIU Health Services.

“The pill is 89 percent effective if taken within 42 hours of unprotected sex,” Crocker said.

Waiting on drug companies

Students waiting on the ruling to take effect at NIU have manufacturers to blame.

“I’ve called the company, they still have to prepare the different packaging and create new guidelines for an over the counter drug,” Fetting said.

A price jump will most likely be introduced, Fetting said.

“It’s currently $20 for the set of two pills (taken 12 hours apart) because we get it at the contract price from the manufacturer,” she said. “But once something goes over the counter, the price tends to go up.”

The process of receiving Plan B includes two questionnaires and a consultation with a nurse, Crocker said. Once the pills are available without a prescription, the questionnaires and consultation will be eliminated.

“The questionnaires also decide whether or not [a patient] qualifies for a pregnancy test,” Crocker said.

Plan B use on campus

As for side effects, Fetting said that NIU’s Health Services has had no negative feedback about nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or dizziness — side effects that are common in patients taking the drug.

“Of course, you shouldn’t use it if you know you are allergic to the drug,” Fetting said, “But something some people don’t know is that you shouldn’t take the pill if you know you are pregnant. It does not terminate a pregnancy. Other than that I think it’s a good idea.”

Another misconception patients should be warned about is that Plan B does not protect against STDs, Fetting said.

Health Services cannot predict whether or not there will be a jump in distribution when the pill goes over the counter.

“We have no way of knowing, but we will find out,” Fetting said.

During the fall semester of 2005, 215 students were given the drug, she said. In spring of 2006 the number was 213. So far this fall? Plan B has been administered to 48 students.

“I’m hoping that part of the pharmacy’s role is making students aware of all the different birth control options,” Fetting said. “But it’s also exciting that this is one more way to prevent an unplanned pregnancy.”

Student opinion

The student body has mixed reactions to the new FDA ruling. Some are supportive of the drug:

“I think it’s good because some girls make irresponsible decisions; it’s there to help fix their mistakes,” said Melissa Perea, a freshman public administration major.

However, some believe the ruling is too lenient and Plan B should only be available by prescription.

“It should be only available by prescription because of the risk of side effects,” said Shaheen Mizyed, a freshman accounting major.

Jean Sterenberg, a junior hospitality administration major, said the drug should not be given over the counter.

“Now that it is available there will probably be a lot more kids apt to go out and have sex and be unprotected,” she said.

Lauren Stott is a Campus Reporter for the Northern Star.