U.S. FDA APPROVES FIRST ``MORNING AFTER'' PILL

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said
Wednesday it had approved the first birth-control pills for use after
sex has occurred.

The Preven Emergency Contraceptive Kit, to be marketed by Gynetics
Inc. of Belle Mead, N.J., will be available by prescription before the
end of September, the FDA said.

The kit uses higher doses of regular birth control pills to prevent or
delay ovulation when taken within 72 hours of sex. They may also
prevent fertilization of an egg or prevent implantation, the FDA said.

Often referred to as a ``morning after'' pill, the method is used in
many countries and is a staple in rape crisis centers. But, without
specific sanction from the FDA, many doctors have been reluctant to
use birth control pills for a purpose not stated on the label.

Gynetics Chairman Roderick Mackenzie told a conference call with
reporters that the kits would cost $20 each and be available later
this month in most drug stores and at Planned Parenthood clinics.

Side effects included nausea in about 50 percent of women taking the
pills and vomiting for 20 percent.

An FDA advisory panel found in June 1996 that birth control pills were
safe and effective for use as ``morning after'' pills. Gynetics is the
first company to seek FDA marketing approval.

``It is estimated that nearly 50 percent of all abortions and
unintended pregnancies in this country could be avoided if women had
access to emergency contraception,'' said Anita Nelson, associate
professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of California
in Los Angeles.

But opponents, including conservative groups, have said that
availability of a post-sex pill would make people less likely to use
contraception.

Using birth control pills after sex is not the same as the
controversial so-called ``abortion pill,'' RU-486, which causes a
miscarriage and can be used in the first two months of pregnancy.

Checked-by: Patrick Henry