KHN, Sarah Varney, June 7, 2022

At a moment when half of U.S. states stand poised to outlaw or sharply curtail abortion services, the last-ditch pill for women aiming to stave off an unwanted pregnancy rests in the unlikely stewardship of two private equity firms whose investment portfolios range from Italian foods to vineyard management to children’s cough medicine.

Miller and other industry experts say Foundation can maintain its $45 average price tag for Plan B because of its market dominance. Lower-priced generic emergency contraception is available, largely online, said Dima Qato, associate professor of clinical pharmacy at the University of Southern California. But Plan B’s distribution arrangements with national pharmacies, Walmart, and Target have largely locked out competitors.

“People don’t use the generics, and not many places carry them,” said Qato. “You want to make sure it’s effective. There is a preference for the brand.”

“Texas and other states will claim this is similar to an abortion pill,” said Qato, “and they will say you can’t sell it.”

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