Sharon Camp, Mother of the “Plan B” Contraceptive Pill, Dies at 81

Champion of Reproductive Rights

Sharon Camp, a pioneering advocate for women’s reproductive health, passed away on November 12, 2025 at the age of 81. Over a career that spanned more than five decades, Camp turned her scientific expertise into a lifelong mission: to give women control over their own bodies.

From Laboratory to Boardroom

Born in 1944, Camp earned a Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley. While working as a researcher in the 1970s, she became acutely aware of the limited options available for emergency contraception. Determined to change that, she founded Pharmacia Plan, one of the world’s smallest but most influential pharmaceutical companies, in 1978.

Bringing “Plan B” to Market

Camp’s company focused on a single product: a levonorgestrel‑based emergency‑birth‑control pill, later marketed as “Plan B.” Despite facing regulatory hurdles, funding challenges, and widespread skepticism, she persisted. In 1999, after rigorous clinical trials and a hard‑won FDA approval, the pill became available over the counter in the United States.

The impact was immediate. Within the first year, more than 2 million doses were sold, providing a discreet, reliable option for women facing unintended pregnancies. Health experts credit Camp’s work with reducing the number of abortions and empowering countless individuals to make timely reproductive choices.

Advocacy Beyond the Pill

Camp never stopped fighting for broader access to reproductive health services. She testified before Congress, served on the board of the International Women’s Health Coalition, and funded scholarships for women entering STEM fields. Her philanthropy helped launch community‑based clinics that offer free contraception and education in underserved areas.

Legacy

“Sharon’s vision was simple yet revolutionary: give women the power to decide when to become mothers,” said Dr. Lena Morales, former colleague and co‑founder of Pharmacia Plan. Her legacy lives on not only in the millions of pills that continue to protect women worldwide, but also in the ongoing push for reproductive autonomy.

Family and Survivors

Camp is survived by her two children, Michael and Elise, a sister, and a close circle of friends and colleagues who will carry forward her commitment to health equity. A private memorial service will be held next week; the family has requested that donations be made to the Sharon Camp Women’s Health Fund in lieu of flowers.