March 4, 2024 – The first contraception pill allowed to be sold and not using a doctor's prescription will soon be available to the general public, in accordance with the corporate that makes the drug.
The contraception pill, called Opill, has been shipped to retailers and will likely be available on shelves and online in the approaching weeks and available for pre-order at select retailers starting this week, Perrigo, the drugmaker, said in a Press release.
The medication is sold over-the-counter at a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $19.99 for a 1-month supply and $49.99 for a 3-month supply. Opill may also be available on opill.com for $89.99 for a 6-month supply.
Walgreens and CVS have announced that they are going to sell Opill, CNN reported. Consumers can find the pill within the family planning section of most retailers as soon because it is out there in stores.
Opill was previously available with a physician's prescription, but last summer the federal government approved the over-the-counter version. Opill, sometimes called the “mini pill,” is a progestin-only every day contraceptive pill in comparison with a mix pill that incorporates estrogen and progestin.
By eliminating time-consuming doctor's appointments, Opill goals to make contraception more widely available.
“The availability of an oral contraceptive without a prescription is a truly groundbreaking milestone in reproductive health,” Melissa J. Kottke, MD, MPH, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Atlanta, said within the press release. “Progestin pills have been a trusted method of contraception for decades, but prescribing birth control pills presents unnecessary hurdles for many people. Creating additional options for access to contraception is critical to helping people achieve their reproductive goals.”
Perrigo said Opill may give you the chance to be paid or reimbursed through flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts. A program may also be established to assist qualified low-income individuals without medical health insurance obtain Opill at little or no cost, the drugmaker said.
“Contraception is a key component of reproductive health care, and the availability of an OTC hormonal option will reduce some barriers to access that prevent people from starting or continuing oral hormonal contraception,” says Verda J. Hicks, MD, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, said in a statement.
“This is particularly important as there are increasing healthcare deserts in our country where people lack access to gynecological care. Over-the-counter contraception will also help reduce people’s concerns about confidentiality, allowing them to take control of their reproductive health without compromising their privacy.”