FDA approves generic Plan B contraceptive

BOSTON - The Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that it has approved a prescription-only generic version of the contraceptive Plan B, for women aged 17 and under. Plan B, which is marketed by a subsidiary of Teva Pharmaceutical Industries (TEVA 48.12, +0.05, +0.10%) , is already approved for presciption use by females of all ages, and for over-the-counter use by women aged 18 and older. The generic version, known as levonorgestrel, will be marketed by Watson Pharmaceuticals. (WPI 33.40, +0.02, +0.06%) . The FDA added that no generic version of Plan B for non-prescription use in women aged 18 or older can be approved until Aug. 24, 2009, when Teva's patents on the product expire.