FDA Approves Over-The-Counter Birth Control
Do you support allowing access to birth control without a prescription?
Updated July 13, 2023
- The FDA approved a birth control pill to be sold over-the-counter.
- The medication, Opill, will be the first contraceptive to be this widely accessible in the U.S. without a prescription. Reproductive health experts believe the pill will especially benefit those who struggle with the cost and logistical hurdles of getting a prescription, including young women and teenagers.
- The pill will be identical to the prescription version, which is 93% effective.
- Perrigo Company, the manufacturer, said the pill will most likely be available in early 2024. It is still unknown how much the medication will cost, but the company's global vice president Frédérique Welgryn said they're committed to making it "accessible and affordable to women and people of all ages."
- Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement:
"Today's approval marks the first time a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive will be an available option for millions of people in the United States."
What's the story?
- For the first time, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering allowing people to get birth control pills without a prescription.
- The agency will hold a two-day meeting with independent advisers to discuss the possibility. The advisers will discuss the scientific evidence and guide the agency on the next steps. The FDA is expected to make a final decision by the end of the summer.
What they're saying
- Major medical groups like the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists support the request.
- Kelly Blanchard, head of the nonprofit research group Ibis Reproductive Health, pointed to how hard it can be for many women to get a prescription, especially those in less affluent areas. She continued:
"It's a very exciting historic moment for contraceptive access...It could be someone doesn't have a healthcare provider. It could be the time it would take to get an appointment, the cost to get that appointment, taking time off work, organizing child care. All of those things really add up."
- Others question whether taking a doctor's visit out of the equation will harm women. The Catholic Medical Association fears that skipping the need to see a healthcare professional would help sex traffickers abuse and control women. Dr. Timothy Millea, head of the association's health care policy committee, argued:
"It eliminates the need to see a physician for young ladies...That will eliminate the screenings for ovarian cancer, for cervical cancer, for sexually transmitted infections."
- The FDA also raised questions about omitting the input of medical experts for women deciding to get on birth control. The agency wondered whether people would be able to take the pills when they're supposed to and whether those with health complications would know not to take the drug.
- However, proponents have dismissed the concerns as pills are available without a prescription in over 100 countries, which has proved successful. President of the AMA, Dr. Jack Resneck Jr., said:
"We think the evidence is quite clear. First of all, oral contraceptives have been used safely by millions of women in the United States and around the world since the 1960s."
- He added that while regular check-ups are important, "they're not necessary prior to initiating or refiling an oral contraceptive." Resneck and others said that this increase in access has never been more critical in America, given that abortion access is under attack.
Do you support allowing access to birth control without a prescription?
-Jamie Epstein
(Photo credit: iStock/towfiqu ahamed)
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The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommended in 2012 and reconfirmed support in 2023 of over-the-counter availability of contraception (oral contraceptive pills, vaginal rings, the contraceptive patch, and depot medroxyprogesterone acetate) without age restrictions based on several studies that show women are capable of using self-screening tools to determine eligibility. Pelvic and breast examinations, cervical cancer screening, and sexually transmitted infection screening are not required before using birth control, and should not be used as reasons to deny access.
https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2019/10/over-the-counter-access-to-hormonal-contraception
About time
I completely support access to free birth control, but the pills have different hormone levels and side effects with women. Without medical supervision, the wrong pill or the wrong dodse may be taken. A medical professional may also access whether condoms should be used so that STDs aren't spread. Planned Parenthood has always been a great resource and they should be funded for reliable care. They should also be protected by law from the anti- abortion intruders.
If they won't allow abortion this will help young women stay, "out of trouble"!
The only concern I have is lack of insurance coverage if this happens.
Numerous medical studies have indicated the important role that hormones play in our health and well-being. Hormones are responsible for most of the normal healthy functioning in our bodies. Prescribing any medication that affects the natural balance of hormones in the body without the guidance and monitoring of a knowledgable doctor is a recipe for disaster.
With Roe vs. Wade overturned, birth control is even more important than it used to be. FDA has acted accordingly by approving this contraceptive.
The cost will be a big factor since most medical insurance doesn't cover over-the-counter drugs. If the cost is significant it will still not help lower income women who will not be able to afford it.
So many will be heped by this!
Hopefully, those who cannot afford the doctor's office can afford the price of over-the-counter contraceptives. Or is this another way for the pharma companies to tease the general public? The generic prices of most needed drugs have risen beyond the ability of those in need to pay.
Votes and destroying Christianity!
Fully support birth control without a prescription.
I believe OTC birth control pills should be available but not by mail. A pharmacist should speak to each patient and advise her verbally with written instructions. The conversation should take only a couple minutes. The patient should have the pharmacy phone number so that the patient can have a contact number, and a physician can be contacted.
Finding anyway to get votes and destroy Christianity!
I support the FDA approved pill because I believe that if God gave us free will to do whatever we want to do with our lives and bodies there are no man that can change that. Men don make the rules about our bodies God is.
91% in this poll support FDA approval of OTC birth control. Where are you? Who do you represent?
I am strongly against abortion. Abortion is taking a human life. Making the decision without medical input (or with) can bring serious long term issues. All patients need to make informed decisions. We often lack the information needed.
i SUPPORT the approval of an OTC birth prevention pill. this will prevent conception from occurring and will prevent abortion.
I totally support this.
Birth control pills help with menstrual cycle, pain(for some), and disposition (yes, when we are on our cycle it affects mental health. As soon as some teenagers get their cycle they suffer from clinical depression).
Also, when we get older or reach a specific age our cycle is out of control. We start carrying suitcase and we are just going to work. Sanitary pads become to much of an expense when you go through a pack a day.
If this is to much information for people who oppose oh well. If you are going to regulate my uterus with out a medical license than you should know what we going through. This is not as details.
I support anything that promotes good health and limits the number of unwanted babies.
It's about time. Enough said.
Anyone that buys it would need it so YES!
It gives women some control over their body and future.
Absolutely. And I support the federal government enacting abortion rights across the whole country.
Abortion must be a decision between a woman and her doctor, not by some partisan fascists that know nothing about the circumstances or the health, or the ability of the mother to care for a child. An unloved and unwanted child will likely grow up to be on a wanted poster and end up in icarceration. Stop the extremism of the uninformed GOP!
I have no problem as long as one needs an legal ID and of an age of 18 or older.