FDA opens door for emergency contraception.

Some brands of combined oral contraceptive pills, when taken in higher than usual doses, can reduce by at least 75% the risk of becoming pregnant if taken within 72 hours of an episode of unprotected sexual intercourse. Such contraception is known as emergency contraception, and the pills known as morning-after pills. Emergency contraceptive pills have had little use worldwide since they were introduced as emergency contraception in the 1970s. On February 25, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) formally announced that 6 brands of combined oral contraceptive pills, when taken in specified doses, are safe and effective for use as emergency contraception. The FDA's announcement clears the way for pharmaceutical manufacturers to apply to include the pills' use for emergency contraception in drug packaging and labeling information. Adding the potential use of the approved contraceptive pills as emergency contraception should considerably expand the levels of awareness and use of the emergency contraception family planning option. Next year, a contraceptive pill is expected to be marketed exclusively for use as emergency contraception in the US.