Emergency Contraception (a.k.a. the morning-after pill, Plan B) is an ordinary birth control pill that can PREVENT PREGNANCY by up to 89 percent when taken within 120 hours of unprotected sex, however it is most effective when taken as son as possible after unprotected sexual intercourse.  EC does not cause abortion; rather it inhibits ovulation, fertilization or implantation before implantation. 

Emergency Contraception is a safe and effective way to prevent unintended pregnancy and the need for abortion.  In 2007 NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota and our supporters successfully advocated for the passage of the Compassionate Care for Sexual Assault Victims Act  into law. 

In August, 2006 the Federal Food and Drug Administration finally approved Emergency Contraception for over-the-counter sale without a prescription to anyone 18 years and older.

Despite this important step forward for women's access to birth control, many pharmacies refuse to stock Emergency Contraception.  Many other make it difficult, inconvinient or embarrasing to purchase EC.

In a first-in-the-nation statewide survey, the NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota Foundation is investigating the policies surrounding Emergency Contraception at all 1,300 pharmacies in the state.  The results of the survey will be used to create an online, searchable data base so women throughout Minnesota can quickly and easily locate the pharmacy nearest to them that provides EC at a price they can afford.

Go to www.ECMinnesota.org for more information.