New Over-The-Counter Birth Control Pill Now Available, as the Biden Administration Renews Call to Protect Reproductive Health Care

The newly available drug will revolutionize how those seeking contraception get their birth control, paving the way for easier access to family planning methods 

Washington, D.C.—Today, oral contraceptive Opill, the first of its kind to be offered over-the-counter, is available for purchase, ushering in a new era of family planning that will save those seeking oral contraception valuable time otherwise spent at a doctor’s office. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Opill in July 2023, and it will be available online starting Monday, March 18th and in stores in the coming weeks. Opill is safe and 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used as directed.

Oral contraception will be easier to access thanks to the Biden administration’s efforts to protect and improve reproductive health care outcomes — a stark contrast to  conservatives’ continued attacks on family planning measures like abortion access and in-vitro fertilization. If these anti-abortion lawmakers get their way, birth control methods like Opill will be next. 

Opill puts reproductive rights back in women’s hands by eliminating the need for a prescription. A recent KFF survey found that more than one-third of oral contraceptive users missed a dose because they were unable to get their supply on time due to the need to see a doctor to renew or receive a prescription. Research shows that over-the-counter birth control can help those who have historically faced barriers to access, including young people, the uninsured, and those living in contraceptive deserts. 

At a time when conservatives are working to restrict reproductive freedom, reproductive rights advocates welcome the availability of Opill in pharmacies, as they keep fighting to protect and improve access to reproductive health care.  

“This is a historic day for my patients in rural Wisconsin and Minnesota, and anyone who has faced barriers in accessing the reproductive care they need,” said Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an OBGYN from Green Bay, Wisconsin. “I’m specifically thinking of one of my patients, a young woman who is at risk for developing uterine cancer, for whom I prescribed the birth control pill as preventative care. Due to barriers related to her insurance coverage, a month later she still has not been able to get her pills. With Opill, she will be able to go directly to the pharmacy and get them for herself.”

“I tried to be proactive about my reproductive future and access hormonal birth control, but I faced many barriers in getting the care I needed. This ultimately led to me becoming pregnant and being forced to travel over 700 miles out of my home state to access an abortion,” said DakotaRei Frausto, a college student and reproductive justice organizer from San Antonio Texas. “With birth control available over the counter, many of the hurdles I faced are removed, and people regardless of income, area, or insurance status will be able to access preventative and proactive reproductive healthcare.

“As a young service member, I was denied the ability to control my reproductive future,” said Joanna Sweatt, a Marine Corps veteran from Phoenix, Arizona. “Today, I’m celebrating the release of Opill at pharmacies across the country. Now, those of us who face unique challenges in accessing affordable reproductive health care, including service members, veterans, military spouses and dependents, will be able to get birth control on our terms.”

“This is a win for women's reproductive health and rights and a step towards women gaining autonomy over their bodies and their futures, thanks to the Biden administration’s hard work to stand up for our reproductive freedom,” said Suki O, an ultrasound technician at an abortion clinic in McDonough, Georgia. “Empowerment can come in the form of a pill.” 
“Access to birth control is an essential aspect of equitable reproductive health care and should be available and affordable for everyone,” said Ariana Traub, a medical student at Emory University School of Medicine and co-founder of Georgia Health Professionals for Reproductive Justice. “Since it does not require a prescription, insurance, or a visit to the doctor’s office, OTC Birth Control ensures patients have the capacity to navigate their reproductive health and shape their own futures.”

"Birth control access is a core tenet of reproductive justice and bodily autonomy. OTC birth control eliminates significant barriers for our patients to access this essential medication,” said Alenna Beroza, a third year medical student at the Medical College of Wisconsin.“Patients are no longer beholden to prescriptions, insurance companies and recurring doctor’s visits to control their bodies and with it, their futures. This is a huge step forward in gender equity and bodily autonomy!"

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Free & Just is fighting to stop attacks on reproductive freedom and rights. We’re working with people across the country to share real stories to show the devastating consequences of attacks on our reproductive freedom. We all deserve the right to control our bodies and lives. That’s why we’re sharing our stories, raising our voices, and fighting for our future.