FDA approves over-the-counter sales of emergency contraceptives for all ages

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Thursday that it would allow all women with child-bearing potential to purchase emergency contraceptives over-the-counter without a prescription.

Plan B-One Step (levonorgestrel), which is a form of the "morning-after pill" - a type of emergency contraception that reduces pregnancy risk after a woman has engaged in unprotected sex, CBS News reported.

Currently there are three types of morning-after pills for sale in the US, Plan B One-Step, Plan B, and ella.

Plan B is available for women 17 and older over the counter, but requires a prescription for those below the age limit. Ella requires a prescription irrespective of the age.

Plan B One-Step works best when its taken within three days after sexual intercourse, however, it doesn't stop pregnancy if a woman is already pregnant.

Dr. Janet Woodcock, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said that the over-the-counter access to emergency contraceptive products has the potential to further reduce the rate of unintended pregnancies in the US.