(TargetLiberty.org) – On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill. The approval of Opill, which will not require a prescription to be administered, is part of the efforts made by reproductive health advocates and physicians who have been pushing for contraception to be more widely and easily accessible.
This decision could mean that many younger women, especially in rural or underserved communities, are going to be able to take contraceptives without having to deal with the logistical barriers related to finding a medical professional to prescribe their birth control.
Xavier Becerra, the Health and Human Services Secretary released a statement noting how important this step was towards creating more accessible healthcare for Americans. He added that this approval of Opill is going to mean that millions of Americans will be able to gain access to birth control without requiring a prescription.
Perrigo, the pill’s manufacturer stated that the birth control pill would most likely start being available in stores and online in early 2024 and that women of all ages would be able to get the pill. It has not yet been announced what the cost of the pill would be. It is also unlikely that this pill will be covered by insurance companies, as only prescribed medication is usually covered.
For years birth control pills have required a prescription in order to reduce the risk of blood clots. However, there are more than 100 countries that do allow over-the-counter birth control to be purchased.
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