Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill that can be purchased without a prescription is now available for preorder, and will hit shelves of select brick-and-mortar retailers including CVS and Walgreens this month. In what represents a significant shift in nationwide access to birth control, the medication is not only available without an age restriction, it is less than the up to $50 per month without health insurance, (this can also include $35–$250 in exam fees if a doctor’s visit is required).
According to the manufacturer, suggested retail price is set at $19.99 for one month packs and $49.99 for three month packs, respectively. Opill will also be available for purchase at Opill.com at a relatively inexpensive price of $49.99 for a three-month supply and $89.99 for a six-month supply. While Progestin-only pills have been a contraceptive option for decades, obtaining a prescription for birth control pills have created barriers for many, particularly those without health insurance or who lack access to doctors or pharmacists who will prescribe birth control in their state.
Otherwise known as norgestrel, the medication which has been available for more than half a century, was only just approved in July 2023 by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for nonprescription use to prevent pregnancy. Unlike combination birth control pills, the progestin-only pill doesn't have any estrogen in it. According to the FDA, norgestrel is a progestin-only birth control pill that works by thickening cervical mucus, which stops sperm from penetrating, and preventing ovulation. It is also known as a “minipill”, and according to the Mayo Clinic, is recommended for use for those with a history of blood clots, high blood pressure or heart problems, and is also safe to start any time during breastfeeding.
In a statement from the FDA in July, Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said, “Today’s approval marks the first time a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive will be an available option for millions of people in the United States. When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available nonprescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy.”
According to Harvard Health Publishing, “Opill is generally safe for most people who could get pregnant, including teenagers. There's no evidence to suggest that safety or side effects are different in teenagers compared with adults. Research done by the manufacturer has established the safety of Opill in people as young as 15 years old.”
