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08/13/2010 06:20 PM

FDA Approves New Morning-After Pill

By: NY1 News

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The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new type of morning-after birth control pill.

The pill, known as Ella One from HRA Pharma, reduces the chance of pregnancy for up to five days after unprotected sex.

That's two days longer than the most widely used emergency contraceptive on the market -- Plan B -- which can only be effective if taken within three days.

The FDA approved the drug as a prescription-only option, clearing the way for U.S. sales.

The drug has already been approved in Europe.

Ella One has been widely criticized by antiabortion groups as being an "abortion pill" rather than a form of emergency contraception.