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Walmart caves on Plan B
southern Illinois pharmacist | May 13, 2005 | William Beckman

Posted on 05/13/2005 11:49:02 AM PDT by IRLC

Walmart has caved on Plan B. Overturning their previous decision not to stock this emergency contraceptive, they have now stocked their pharmacies with Plan B.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government
KEYWORDS: babykillers; contraceptive; emergency; morningafterpill; planb; walmart
Walmart has caved on Plan B. Overturning their previous decision not to stock this emergency contraceptive, they have now stocked their pharmacies with Plan B.

Calls to a local Chicago area Walmart pharmacy confirmed that Plan B is now in stock.

Walmart has taken this action because of concern about violating the April 1, 2005 emergency rule established by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. This rule requires pharmacies to fill prescriptions for Plan B and to order Plan B if it is not in stock when such a prescription is presented.

Plan B is dangerous to women's health. A web site that allows on-line orders includes the following warnings:

Patient information

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Plan B (Levonorgestrel) and seek emergency medical attention: an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or severe pain or tenderness in the stomach area. Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Plan B (Levonorgestrel) and talk to your doctor if you experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, headache, changes in menstrual bleeding (spotting, earlier or later menstrual period, heavier or lighter menstrual bleeding, longer or shorter menstrual period), dizziness or breast tenderness. Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Precautions

Before taking Plan B (Levonorgestrel), tell your doctor if you have high blood pressure, angina, or heart disease; have had a stroke; have a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder; have breast, uterine, or another hormone-related cancer; have liver disease; have undiagnosed, abnormal vaginal bleeding; have migraines or severe, recurrent headaches; have diabetes; or smoke. You may not be able to take Plan B (Levonorgestrel), or you may require special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Plan B (Levonorgestrel) should not be used at any time during pregnancy except in an attempt to prevent pregnancy within 72 hours following unprotected sexual intercourse. Plan B (Levonorgestrel) passes into breast milk. Do not take Plan B (Levonorgestrel) without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Drug interactions

Some drugs may decrease the effectiveness of Plan B (Levonorgestrel), which may result in pregnancy. Before taking Plan B (Levonorgestrel), talk to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines: a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); a seizure or pain medicine such as phenytoin (Dilantin) or carbamazepine (Tegretol); or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane). You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Plan B (Levonorgestrel). Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products.

1 posted on 05/13/2005 11:49:02 AM PDT by IRLC
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To: IRLC

So what? They are given fair warning about usage. I am sure your otc allergy medication may also have bad side-effects.


2 posted on 05/13/2005 11:59:53 AM PDT by econ_grad
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To: econ_grad
So what? They are given fair warning about usage. I am sure your otc allergy medication may also have bad side-effects.

Yep, basically every drug has the same laundry list of possible problems.

Also, getting pregnant itself has quite a lot of dangerous, even deadly, "side effects."

3 posted on 05/13/2005 12:08:21 PM PDT by Strategerist
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To: IRLC

Interesting that they changed their minds just when the birth control/pharmacist issue has heated up. Maybe they fear litigation?


4 posted on 05/13/2005 12:10:26 PM PDT by LWalk18
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To: IRLC
Sounds like a safe drug to me. I imagine class-action lawyers are lining up.
5 posted on 05/13/2005 12:11:46 PM PDT by mlc9852
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To: IRLC

Okay. That's the last time I defend Wal-Mart and Sams. I might as well shop at Costco now. If I must support things I disagree with then I will choose the cleaner store that gives me 2% back.


6 posted on 05/13/2005 12:20:19 PM PDT by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Legislatures are so outdated. If you want real political victory, take your issue to court.)
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To: LWalk18

Somebody needs to spank King Rodney the first.


7 posted on 05/13/2005 12:20:31 PM PDT by steve8714
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To: LWalk18

The left will sue them no matter what. They might as well stay true to the right. Too bad. I was loyal to them before. Now they can go down via the lawsuit tyranny of the left and I won't care. Ho hum.


8 posted on 05/13/2005 12:22:00 PM PDT by The Ghost of FReepers Past (Legislatures are so outdated. If you want real political victory, take your issue to court.)
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To: IRLC; econ_grad; Strategerist; mlc9852

Meanwhile, common pain relievers, which any child can buy right off the open shelf, are a leading cause of severe liver damage requiring transplants, and have even caused a number of deaths. For some reason the folks who are constantly harping about the alleged "risks" of Plan B, aren't the least bit concerned about the infinitely more dangerous pain relievers.


9 posted on 05/13/2005 1:21:52 PM PDT by GovernmentShrinker
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To: IRLC

There are ample warning about EC. Women aren't dumb. When a woman takes plan B she knows what she's doing.


10 posted on 05/13/2005 1:24:55 PM PDT by cyborg (Serving fresh, hot Anti-opus since 18 April 2005)
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To: GovernmentShrinker

That's because it's not about the alleged "risks" of Plan B. I respect the ones who're honest enough to say so.


11 posted on 06/23/2005 6:34:51 AM PDT by highball ("I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." -- Thomas Jefferson)
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To: highball
That's because it's not about the alleged "risks" of Plan B. I respect the ones who're honest enough to say so.

My sentiments exactly.

12 posted on 07/17/2005 11:43:00 AM PDT by NYCynic
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