In a groundbreaking decision, federal regulators granted approval on Thursday for the nation’s first over-the-counter birth control pill. This landmark ruling will soon enable American women and girls to easily access contraceptive medication, similar to purchasing common over-the-counter products like aspirin and eyedrops.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the green light for the once-a-day pill, named Opill, to be sold without a prescription. This marks a significant shift as it becomes the first contraceptive medication to be made available outside the realm of pharmacy counters. The manufacturer, Perrigo, based in Ireland, is expected to commence shipping the pill in early 2023, with no age restrictions imposed on sales.
For decades, hormone-based pills have been the most widely used form of birth control in the United States, with millions of women relying on them since the 1960s. However, all previous pills required a prescription from a healthcare provider.