What’s the Plan? B, that is.

I walked in to CVS on Easter Sunday, dressed to the nines in my good friend’s dress. I wasn’t much into the holiday, but I went home to NJ to get out of the dorm. In her purse sat a wad of cash and her nerves were aflame in the tiny town. She probably knew the pharmacist, but we marched up to the counter anyway and asked for the dreaded “Plan B.” My friend shook me awake that morning and whispered “Get ready, I forgot to take my pill.” Luckily we were both over 18 and luckily CVS was open on this holiday. She didn’t get the one-step option (they were out, funnily enough). That night back at the dorm I heard her phone alarm ringing to remind her to take the next step. We never told anyone–she wanted it to be a secret. She did not get pregnant. Her reputation was not destroyed. Her parents did not find out. We went to mass that morning and drove home after, like nothing had happened.

Now that Plan B is available over the counter without age restrictions, the theory is that anyone can walk into a store and purchase the product. This “one-step” brand is sold at all major pharmacies, and typically costs around $40, and it’s $25 if you get it from JMU’s health center. This new established law in place by the FDA has made it possible for women of all ages to access a form of birth control when they have no desire to get pregnant at that time. However, there seems to be a catch that I was not aware of. In many stores, it has become clear that this “easy access” does not always apply.

Where is your plan b? is a website created to show that some pharmacies and stores are not making it very easy for people to purchase Plan B. In the video, it shows many stores only allowing Plan B to be sold behind locked boxes, so that you will have to alert a store employee that you need to buy this product. This causes a stir both for the individual and for anyone working in the store. Would my friend have still purchased emergency contraceptive if she had to ask some kid from her high school to unlock a box? If she had come into the store and the pharmacist had asked for her I.D. even though that’s not required and I drove? Ms. Magazine  lists the many roadblocks that have been alerted due to the changing laws.

Now I wonder, is this the same problem I might have in Harrisonburg if I were to ever need to purchase Plan B? Here is a form to fill out if you have visited a store or pharmacy such as CVS in the area. It simply asks how easy it is to purchase Plan B. I urge everyone to go out and check their local store. Where is the Plan B located? Are you able to get it during all store hours? Did someone ID you? Help them get a better read on how different stores are treating emergency contraceptives. I know I will be checking the area!