FDA says it will act quickly on Barr's morning-after pill

WASHINGTON -- The maker of the morning-after pill said it received assurances yesterday that the government would quickly settle a three-year battle to sell the emergency contraceptive without a prescription to at least some women.

Last week, the Food and Drug Administration stunned Barr Pharmaceuticals Inc. by putting its long-delayed attempt back on the table -- with some caveats. FDA said it would consider nonprescription sales of the pill called Plan B only for women 18 and older, and demanded details on how Barr would ensure that pharmacies enforced that age restriction.

After meeting with FDA officials yesterday, Barr said it would amend its Plan B application within two weeks.

``They made it clear to us they intend to act quickly," said Barr spokeswoman Carol Cox.

FDA officials didn't immediately comment.

The morning-after pill is a high dose of regular birth control that, taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, can lower the risk of pregnancy by up to 89 percent.