Representatives on both sides of the abortion issue, as well as an on-campus physician, laud the decision to make the morning-after pill available without a prescription.

The drug is commonly referred to by its brand name, Plan B, and can now be bought over-the-counter by women over the age of 18 without a doctor’s permission.

According to the Plan B Web site, if the drug is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it has an 89 percent chance of stopping pregnancy altogether.

“I think it’s a great idea for those who use it appropriately,” said Marc Shulman, physician at Thielen Student Health Center. “Plan B is an emergency contraceptive, it’s not something to be taken on a regular basis.”

Shulman said practicing safe sex is still of primary importance. He said barrier contraception and birth control should also still be utilized.

The morning-after pill hits pharmacy shelves, making Plan B available to women over 18. Minors still need a prescription. The pill promises 89-percent effectivity if taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex. File photo: Charlie Litchfield/Iowa State Daily

According to the federal government’s ruling, the drug will be available without a prescription starting in November.

However, Shulman said the Student Health Center may not be able to distribute the drug until the first of the year.

Plan B is still available, however, with a prescription.

Julie Neppl, junior in finance and executive director of the ISU College Republicans said she approved of the ruling but does not want the drug to become just another out.

“I think it will be good as long as it cuts downs on the number of abortions,” she said.

Neppl also said she approved of the part of the ruling that prohibits girls under the age of 18 from taking it without a prescription.

Katie Bradshaw, a representative of Planned Parenthood of Greater Iowa, disagreed.

She said minors not being allowed to purchase the drug is exactly where the ruling falls short.

Girls under the age of 18 tend not to be ready either financially or mentally to have a child or be able to make the decision to have an abortion, Bradshaw said.

Bradshaw said her group will be working toward making Plan B available to all women, but she still applauds the decision.

“It’s absolutely great, it’s definitely a step forward in the right direction for Iowa women and women in the United States,” she said.

Currently, Plan B can be given out by Planned Parenthood because of its status of a registered health care provider.

That is not expected to change when the product is made available over the counter, Bradshaw said.

The Ames Planned Parenthood Center is located at 2530 Chamberlain St.