We wanted to fill you in on some exciting news about emergency contraception.

Last week the FDA approved a generic version of Plan B.

This whole thing gets a little tricky since Plan B is available with and without a prescription depending on your age, but we'll try to clarify what exactly was approved. Duramed still has market exclusivity on over-the-counter Plan B which can be purchased by women age 17 and older without a prescription until August 24, 2009. However, the recently approved generic version (which will be marketed as Next Choice™) will be available to women age 17 and younger with a prescription in the near future (hopefully in August, Next Choice will be available over-the-counter as well).

The price of Next Choice™ will likely vary by pharmacy, but will most likely be 20-70 percent cheaper than the name brand version which ranges from $35-70 depending on the pharmacy. Clear as mud? Check out these FAQs for more info.

I don't know about you, but a lower cost version of emergency contraception might be just what I need to stock up on for a rainy day...Not that it's a substitute for birth control, mind you. But you can never be too careful...