Manufacturer Perrigo announced on 4 March that Opill (norgestrel), the first daily over-the-counter birth control pill, will be available in the US in the next few weeks.

Opill has been available by prescription for nearly 50 years, but last year, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Opill as a non-prescription oral contraceptive in the US. The cost of a one-month supply will be $19.99.

Opill is a progestin-only birth control pill, which is considered safer compared to other contraceptive drugs containing estrogen and progestin. Opill works by raising progestin levels, which leads to the thickening of the mucus in the cervix, preventing sperm from entering the uterus. This drug also inhibits ovulation, therefore preventing the release of an egg each month. Opill is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy if taken regularly.

According to key opinion leaders interviewed by GlobalData, an unmet need in the contraceptive field is availability and access to patients. Almost half of the 6.1 million pregnancies in the US each year are unintended, so the approval of Opill to be sold over the counter without prescription allows increased accessibility, promoting timely use and reducing barriers to family planning. The pills empower individuals to take control of their reproductive health, potentially lowering unintended pregnancies and enhancing overall well-being.

The US joins more than 100 countries where the contraceptive pill is available without a prescription. This provides hope for more oral contraceptives to become available over the counter in the future in the US. The requirement for a prescription for contraceptives can be an obstacle for some women. Hence, making it more accessible will ultimately reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy.