FDA approves first over-the-counter birth control pill

New birth control pill expected to be available in stores and online in early 2024

A new birth control pill that can be sold without a doctor’s prescription was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday, potentially expanding access to contraceptives.

The pill, called Opill, is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Perrigo Company. It is a progestin-only oral contraceptive 98 per cent effective when used as directed.

Thursday’s approval marks the first time a birth control pill is available over-the-counter in the United States.

“Today marks a truly momentous day for women’s health nationwide,” Patrick Lockwood-Taylor the President and CEO of Perrigo said in a press release.

He added: “Opill has the potential to radically transform women’s access to contraception and is a true testament of Perrigo’s unwavering commitment to deliver impactful solutions that truly make lives better.”

Perrigo says it expects the medication to become available in leader retailers and online in the first quarter of 2024.

It is unclear how much the medication will cost with or without health insurance. But Perrigo Global Vice President for Women’s Health said they are committed to making Opill accessible and affordable to women of all ages.

Since the Supreme Court overturned the landmark case Roe v Wade last year, there has been a push by lawmakers and activists to make contraceptives more accessible to people in states where abortions are now illegal.

Back in May, a panel of 17 medical advisors, including obstetrician-gynecologists, voted unanimously to recommend the FDA allow Opill to be sold over the counter.

Experts cited the efficacy and safety of the pill were reasons women did not need to seek a healthcare provider first.

Opill was first approved by the FDA in prescription form in 1973.

This illustration provided by Perrigo in May 2023, depicts proposed packaging for the company's birth control medication Opill (Perrigo)

Like other forms of oral contraceptives, Opill works by thickening cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to enter, and can prevent ovaries from releasing eggs.

When taken at the same time every day, Opill is extremely effective at preventing unwanted pregnancies. It does not prevent sexually transmitted infections or diseases.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimated that approximately 45 per cent of pregnancies were unplanned in 2011. That number was higher for teenagers and low-income women.

A study published in the National Library of Medicine found that one-third of adult women who have tried to obtain a contraceptive of some sort have reported barriers preventing access.

The introduction of an over-the-counter oral contraceptive could improve the number of unplanned pregnancies and decrease the number of people who find it difficult to obtain birth control

People who are interested in Opill can visit their website to keep up to date on when the medication will be available.