Over-the-counter birth control pills, specifically the drug Opill, are moving closer to becoming available for purchase without a prescription, as recommended by an FDA panel.
This development marks a significant step forward in women’s reproductive healthcare.
The FDA advisory panel voted in favor of allowing the over-the-counter sales of Opill, a decades-old birth control pill manufactured by Perrigo.
If the FDA approves this recommendation, it will be the first time that contraceptive medication can be bought without a doctor’s approval in the United States.
Opinions on this matter are varied, but many experts support the accessibility of contraceptive pills over the counter.
Alicia Hughes, the interim executive director of the Center for Civil Rights and Social Justice, and a visiting assistant professor at Emory University’s Law School, believes that empowering women with the ability to make informed decisions about their healthcare is crucial.
She emphasizes that contraceptive pills are safe and effective, having undergone rigorous testing and gaining FDA approval six decades ago.
It is worth noting that these pills are already available over the counter in more than 100 countries worldwide.
If the FDA ultimately approves the panel’s recommendation, it would represent a significant milestone for women’s healthcare in the United States.
The decision is expected to be made by the FDA later this summer.
