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FDA Approves First Over-The-Counter Birth Control Pill
On July 13, 2023, the United States joined over 100 countries who already have an over-the-counter oral hormonal birth control pill available. The brand name Opill (norgestrel), a mini-pill containing progestin, has been available with a prescription since 1973 and will be available without a prescription approximately May 2024. Like other oral birth control, it is about 93% effective when taken at the same time every day (or within a 3-hour window). The manufacturer (Perrigo) will make the 28-day supply product available online and in stores nationwide. The price has not been announced but for it to be effective in curbing approximately 3 million unintended pregnancies a year it needs to be accessible and affordable. If you would like to discuss this or other topics, please don't hesitate to reach out to me.Chera H. Mattox, MPH
References:
Chappell, B. (2023, July 13). FDA Approves Opill, the First Daily Birth Control Pill Without a Prescription. NPR Your Health. Retrieved from https://npr.org/2023/07/13/1187460902/opill-fda-approve-otc-birth-control-pill
Hassan, C. (2023, July 13). FDA Approves First Over-The-Counter-Birth Control Pill. CNN Health. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/13/health/fda-otc-birth-control-opill/index.html
Lovelace Jr., B. (2023, July 13). FDA Approves First Over-The-Counter-Birth Control Pill in the U.S. CBS News Now. Retrieved from https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/hormonal-birth-control-fda-nonprescription-contraceptive-pill-rcna93958