FDA approves new over the counter birth control

The Food and Drug Administration approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill (0.075mg Oral Norgestrel Tablet), July 13, 2023. This pill was originally approved for prescription in 1973 and became unavailable in 2005 because the manufacturer decided to stop selling the drug for ‘business reasons’. HRA Pharma applied to make the previously prescription-only drug over the counter. For FDA approval of this, the applicant must demonstrate the product can be used safely and effectively relying on the labeling without assistance from health care providers.

So far nothing has been said about what the costs of this over-the-counter birth control will be or if there will be an age requirement to access the medication.