FDA On the Fence About OTC Birth Control

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently met to discuss whether to approve Opill, Perrigo’s hormonal contraceptive, for over-the-counter (OTC) use. Although reproductive rights advocates contend that the move would expand access to contraceptives to people who don’t have a primary care clinician, some religious advocates and committee members argued against it.

According to Rob Stein, “An FDA assessment also raised questions about taking a health professional out the equation. FDA scientists questioned whether women would take the pill every day at the same time, as they’re supposed to, and whether women who shouldn’t take the pill because of certain health problems would know that. But proponents dismiss those concerns, arguing there’s plenty of evidence that women can easily handle it. Pills are available without a prescription in more than 100 other countries.”

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(Source: NPR, May 9^th, 2023)