New Emergency Contraceptive 'Ella' Expected To Reach Market By End Of Year

A recently approved emergency contraceptive that is effective for up to five days after sex is likely to be on the market by the end of the year, according to the drug's manufacturer, Watson Pharmaceuticals, USA Today reports. The drug, to be marketed under the name ella, contains a compound called ulipristal. Existing EC products -- including Teva Pharmaceutical's Plan B One-Step and the generic EC, Next Choice -- contain levonorgestrol.

According to USA Today, there are two main differences between ella and other EC products. Ella, which FDA approved in August, will be available by prescription only, whereas the levonorgestrol products are available without a prescription for women ages 17 and older. The other major difference is that the existing dedicated EC products only are effective at preventing pregnancy for up to 72 hours after sex.

It remains to be seen whether more EC choices will help reduce the roughly 50% of pregnancies that are unintended in the U.S., USA Today reports. However, in a letter to FDA in June, a coalition of 20 women's health groups -- including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists -- wrote, "We do not believe technology holds all the answers, but having two types of safe and effective [EC] will increase the likelihood that a woman can access a product that works for her situation."

James Trussell, head of Princeton University's Office of Population Research, said that women's health advocates "can't depend on doctors to spread the word about" EC, adding, "My suspicion is it's fallen off the radar for many because they know that women are going directly to the pharmacist for it."

According to Watson spokesperson Charlie Mayr, "one of the problems is that a lot of women don't know that emergency contraceptives exist" (Rubin, USA Today, 9/28).


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