The first-ever over-the-counter birth control pill is headed for store shelves later this month.
The product, Opill, is 98% effective and costs about $20 for a 30-day supply.
Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in July 2023, Opill is the first-ever daily birth control pill available without a prescription in the U.S. It is a progestin-only daily oral contraceptive that's safe and effective when used as directed to help prevent pregnancy, according to drugmaker Perrigo.
Opill is now available for pre-order from select online retailers and is expected to be on store shelves at major retailers nationwide in the coming weeks, Perrigo said.
Consumers will be able to purchase Opill in a variety of sizes to best meet their needs, including one-month and three-month packs, for $19.99 and $49.99. It is also available in a six-month supply for $89.99.
"We are pleased that so many retailers have embraced carrying Opill to help ensure nationwide access to the product and are happy that we are able to offer Opill on our website at a cost of less than $20 per month," Sara Young, Perrigo Senior Vice President, said in a statement. "A cost-assistance program will also be available in the coming weeks to help qualified low-income, uninsured individuals obtain Opill at low or no cost."
The availability of an oral contraceptive without a prescription is a "groundbreaking milestone in reproductive health," according to Melissa Kottke, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Atlanta.
"Progestin-only pills have been a trusted contraceptive option for decades, yet obtaining a prescription for birth control pills creates unnecessary barriers for many," Kottke said in a statement. "Creating additional opportunities for contraceptive access is critical in helping people reach their reproductive goals."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, progestin-only pills can be started at any time if it is reasonably certain that the woman is not pregnant. Among healthy women, no examinations or tests are needed before starting the pill.
Progestin-only pills, also known as the "minipill," work by thickening cervical mucus and thinning the lining of the uterus, which prevents sperm from reaching the egg and a fertilized egg from implanting in the womb, according to the Mayo Clinic. They may also keep some women from ovulating. The pill must be taken at the same time every day to be effective.