US Approves First Non-Prescription Birth Control Pill

Opill, the first hormonal birth control pill sold over the counter in the US, was authorized by the FDA. In the midst of reproductive rights lawsuits, physician groups fighting for over-the-counter access won this verdict.

Opill, the “mini-pill,” includes progestin and must be taken daily. To increase access and reduce unwanted births, the FDA approved all reproductive-age people, including teens. Drugstores, convenience shops, grocery stores, and internet retailers will sell the medicine in early 2024.

Opill, like pharmaceutical oral contraceptives, prevents pregnancy 93% of the time, according to the FDA. It must be taken daily within a three-hour period. If the pill is not taken within this window, doctors advise wearing a condom for two days.

An advisory group unanimously recommended the FDA’s decision. The committee found that most women can decide if Opill is right for them, despite worries about breast cancer and side effects including vaginal bleeding.

Over 100 nations sell birth control tablets over the counter. In 2022, nearly three-quarters of reproductive-age women surveyed supported making birth control pills available without a prescription for convenience.