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Over-the-Counter Opill® Birth Control Pill
Over-the-Counter Opill® Birth Control Pill
Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave approval to HRA Pharma (recently acquired by Perrigo Company plc) to make the Opill® (norgestrel) tablet available to consumers over-the-counter at drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, as well as online. This marks the first daily oral contraceptive medicine to be approved for use in the U.S. without a prescription.
The official price and date of availability for this product have not yet been decided and both will be determined by the manufacturer. Other approved formulations and dosages of other oral contraceptives will remain available by prescription only.
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Over-the-Counter Opill® Birth Control Pill
Over-the-Counter Opill® Birth Control Pill
Over-the-Counter Opill® Birth Control Pill
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Earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) gave approval to HRA Pharma (recently acquired by Perrigo Company plc) to make the Opill® (norgestrel) tablet available to consumers over-the-counter at drug stores, convenience stores and grocery stores, as well as online. This marks the first daily oral contraceptive medicine to be approved for use in the U.S. without a prescription.
The official price and date of availability for this product have not yet been decided and both will be determined by the manufacturer. Other approved formulations and dosages of other oral contraceptives will remain available by prescription only.
Additional Details
This new nonprescription availability of Opill® can potentially reduce barriers to access by allowing individuals to obtain an oral contraceptive without the need to first see a healthcare provider. It may also help reduce the number of unintended pregnancies and their potential negative impacts.
Almost half of the 6.1 million pregnancies in the U.S. each year are unintended, which have been linked to negative maternal and perinatal outcomes. These include reduced likelihood of receiving early prenatal care and increased risk of preterm delivery, with associated adverse neonatal, developmental and child health outcomes.
Opill® is a progestin-only daily oral contraceptive (birth control pill) that’s safe and effective when used as directed to help prevent pregnancy. It is not intended to be used as emergency contraception and does not prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. Additionally, contraceptives like Opill® do not protect against transmission of HIV, AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and syphilis. Condoms should be used to help prevent these types of sexually transmitted diseases. Using medications that interact with Opill® can result in decreased effectiveness of Opill® or the other medication, or both, potentially resulting in unintended pregnancy.
