Opill, the inaugural birth control pill permitted for sale sans prescription, has arrived on shelves at select Walgreens outlets. This pill can also be purchased online from Amazon, CVS, Walgreens, and the Opill website.
This marks the first instance where U.S. residents can procure birth control pills over the counter, akin to buying common medications like Tylenol or Advil.
Although several states authorize pharmacists to dispense birth control pills without a prescription, this broader accessibility signifies a significant shift in contraceptive procurement methods.
Over-The-Counter Launch of Opill
A resident of Fairfield, California, Sriha Srinivasan, 21, expressed her intention to begin using Opill once she locates it at a nearby store. She views Opill as both a convenient option and a means to endorse a product that enhances contraception access.
As a passionate advocate for contraceptives, Srinivasan recounted her struggle to secure a birth control prescription last year, citing months-long wait times for clinic appointments during her final exams.
The Food and Drug Administration sanctioned Opill for over-the-counter sales in July, yet Perrigo, the drug's manufacturer, commenced shipping batches to retailers and pharmacies only on March 4. The Opill website includes a store map showcasing current and anticipated pill availability.
Matt Blanchette, speaking on behalf of CVS, mentioned the commencement of Opill sales online, with in-store availability expected across more than 7,500 CVS Pharmacy locations by early April. Blanchette highlighted additional delivery options for customer privacy and convenience.
Walmart's spokesperson, Tricia Moriarty, anticipated Opill's online availability by week's end, although current listings show the pills as "out of stock." Moriarty assured that Opill will be stocked at all Walmart stores by the first week of April.
The pricing for Opill stands at $19.99 for a monthly supply and $49.99 for a three-month supply at most outlets, with Walmart offering slightly lower prices online.
How the Birth Control Pill Works
Opill incorporates progestin, a hormone that hinders sperm from reaching an egg, thins the uterine lining, and occasionally prevents ovulation. This type of birth control, referred to as the "mini pill," is consumed daily at consistent times. In contrast, conventional prescription birth control forms, termed "combination pills," include synthetic versions of both estrogen and progesterone.
When adhered to as instructed, Opill boasts an efficacy rate of up to 98%, translating to only 2 out of 100 women experiencing pregnancy within a year of usage.
On the other hand, combination pills can achieve a 99% effectiveness rate. An earlier prescription variant of Opill, marketed as Ovrette, received approval over 50 years ago and was accessible in the U.S. from 1973 to 2005.
Prior to Opill's U.S. approval in July, over-the-counter birth control pills were accessible in over 100 countries.
While the Affordable Care Act mandates most insurance plans to cover specific contraceptives without out-of-pocket expenses, over-the-counter medications typically do not fall under this coverage.
Nevertheless, according to KFF, several states-California, Colorado, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Washington-mandate private health insurance plans governed by state laws to include coverage for some nonprescription contraceptives.
Many of these policies are expected to encompass Opill. However, the majority of plans adhere to federal, rather than state, regulations.
Additionally, seven states have allocated funds to cover nonprescription contraceptives for Medicaid beneficiaries.
