2008 Woodie Awards
Group to dispense Plan B free today
Ashton Shurson - The Daily Iowan
Issue date: 12/6/06 Section: Metro
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Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa will distribute free morning-after pills today, to both men and women, at the group's 16 Iowa locations, including the Iowa City office, 850 Orchard St.
"It's an opportunity to get emergency contraceptives to as many women as possible, to back up birth control," said Kathi Di Nicola, the director of marketing and communications for the organization.
Planned Parenthood's giveaway follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval in August of Barr Pharmaceuticals medication - Plan B - for over-the-counter distribution for women 18 and older. Today marks the first time Planned Parenthood has distributed the pills for free.
Di Nicola said the event will help the many college-aged women she has noticed using the pills as a backup method for birth control - in a good way.
"Women use emergency contraceptives responsibly," she said. "They don't rely on it."
The group ordered 2,000 pills - each containing two doses - and it will issue rain checks if the centers run out today. The pills at Planned Parenthood normally range from free to $35, depending on the user's financial need.
Prices vary by facility. At the Emma Goldman Clinic in Iowa City, where price changes are forthcoming because of the new availability over-the-counter, the Plan B pill currently costs $30. The UI's Westlawn pharmacy charges $32.
The two health services won't match their competition's deal, but Karen Kubby, the director of the Emma Goldman Clinic, said her center will eventually have the lowest prices in town. The clinic sees roughly 16 women per week for the medication, she said.
And while the pills are used by women, females don't have to make the trip today - men can also pick up the contraceptive.
"Plainly, partners should be able to buy it, just like condoms," Di Nicola said.
Although no law bans men from purchasing the contraceptives, some facilities don't allow males to do so. Emma Goldman is one clinic that bans such dispersal, unless there is an important reason and a phone confirmation from the woman.
"It's an opportunity to get emergency contraceptives to as many women as possible, to back up birth control," said Kathi Di Nicola, the director of marketing and communications for the organization.
Planned Parenthood's giveaway follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's approval in August of Barr Pharmaceuticals medication - Plan B - for over-the-counter distribution for women 18 and older. Today marks the first time Planned Parenthood has distributed the pills for free.
Di Nicola said the event will help the many college-aged women she has noticed using the pills as a backup method for birth control - in a good way.
"Women use emergency contraceptives responsibly," she said. "They don't rely on it."
The group ordered 2,000 pills - each containing two doses - and it will issue rain checks if the centers run out today. The pills at Planned Parenthood normally range from free to $35, depending on the user's financial need.
Prices vary by facility. At the Emma Goldman Clinic in Iowa City, where price changes are forthcoming because of the new availability over-the-counter, the Plan B pill currently costs $30. The UI's Westlawn pharmacy charges $32.
The two health services won't match their competition's deal, but Karen Kubby, the director of the Emma Goldman Clinic, said her center will eventually have the lowest prices in town. The clinic sees roughly 16 women per week for the medication, she said.
And while the pills are used by women, females don't have to make the trip today - men can also pick up the contraceptive.
"Plainly, partners should be able to buy it, just like condoms," Di Nicola said.
Although no law bans men from purchasing the contraceptives, some facilities don't allow males to do so. Emma Goldman is one clinic that bans such dispersal, unless there is an important reason and a phone confirmation from the woman.
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