The FDA, responsible for determining the safety of drugs, found that Plan B is safe for use by women of all ages. In an unprecedented action, the Secretary of Health and Human Services overruled that determination.
This decision maintains the requirement that women under the age of 17 have a prescription for Plan B. It also means that women older than 17 must find a pharmacy and pharmacist or pharmacy assistant, and show ID in order to access Plan B.
Plan B must be used within 3 days to be effective. To obtain an appointment with a physician, visit him/her and find a pharmacy is very likely to require more than 3 days. For women in rural areas, even finding a pharmacy may require more than 3 days.
To not allow over the counter status for the drug effectively denies it to some women.