FDA approves first over-the-counter birth control pill

Key Facts

• | Perrigo via AP Photo The FDA on Thursday approved the country’s first-ever daily hormonal contraceptive pill for sale without a prescription, a move that could dramatically expand access to birth control for the uninsured and reduce unwanted pregnancies at a time abortion access is evaporating in much of the country.
• “When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available nonprescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy,” Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.
• “We know that increasing access to birth control is not a solution to the ongoing attacks on abortion access and sexual and reproductive health,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood.
• She said the company is working to get Opill included in Medicaid coverage and by private insurers — with a prescription, but was not able to say whether that would be completed by the time the drug reaches store shelves next year.

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