BOSTON — For the first time ever, a birth tablet will be available without a prescription in the United States.
Birth control pills are available over-the-counter in other parts of the world, and now the FDA has nonetheless approved the nation’s first birth control pill to be sold in pharmacies without a prescription.
The once-a-day pill, Opill, has been around for decades and has a track record of transparent protection. Oral contraceptives remain the most common form of birth control in the United States, but they have required a prescription in this country, making it difficult for many women and women to download a contraceptive.
It is estimated that 45% of pregnancies are unwanted. We hope that making a tablet available nationwide will reduce barriers and give women greater access to effective contraceptive methods. The Otablet is expected to hit retail outlets early next year.