NORTH WALES, Pa. — Teva Women’s Health Inc., the U.S subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceuticals, announced that the Plan B One-Step emergency contraceptive is now widely available in the aisles of major retailers nationwide with no age or point-of-sale restrictions.

The pharmaceutical company said Wednesday that Plan B One-Step (levonorgestrel tablet 1.5 mg) is the first emergency contraceptive to be available for over-the-counter sale to all consumers.

In early May, Teva Women’s Health was cleared by the Food and Drug Administration to market Plan B One-Step over the counter to women ages 15 and older. Then in late June, the FDA approved Plan B One-Step for OTC sale to all U.S. consumers, who won’t be required to show identification to buy it.

"Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Plan B One-Step with no age or point-of-sale restrictions on June 20, we have worked tirelessly to bring the product to market for all consumers as soon as possible," stated Martin Berndt, vice president and general manager of U.S. Brand Pharmaceuticals for Teva Women’s Health. "The availability of Plan B One-Step in the aisles of retailers nationwide ensures improved access to a product that has been clinically evaluated and is a safe and effective backup birth control method for women of all reproductive ages."

Teva said the price of Plan B One-Step to wholesale and retail outlets will remain unchanged as it transitions the product to go over the counter. The contraceptive will also continue to be sold to hospitals and health clinics at a subsidized price for women who may not otherwise be able to afford it, the company added.

"Emergency contraception gives women a last chance to prevent pregnancy after birth control failure or unprotected sex," commented Jill DeSimone, senior vice president and general manager at Teva Global Women’s Health. "Women have faced challenges to obtaining emergency contraception for far too long, and the availability of Plan B One-Step in the aisle for all consumers is a historic step forward."

Plan B One-Step can be used up to 72 hours after birth control failure or unprotected sex to help decrease the chance of becoming pregnant.