Opill, a progestin-only contraceptive pill, is available to anyone without a prescription
On July 13, 2023, the Federal Drug Administration approved an oral contraceptive, Opill (norgestrel), for non-prescription use. Opill is the first daily oral contraceptive approved for use in the US without a prescription.
The pill will be available at retail pharmacies in early 2024, but manufacturers have not yet released a price. NBC News reported that the pill will likely be inexpensive, as insurance does not typically cover over-the-counter medication.
Opill only contains progestin, while many other types of birth control contain progestin and estrogen. Progestin is the man-made version of the naturally occurring hormone, progesterone, which helps prevent pregnancy.
Opill is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy when used perfectly. Perfect use means continuously taking the pill at the exact same time every day.
“In real life, however, effectiveness of typical use of norgestrel tablets is lower than perfect use,” the FDA published in their FAQs. Missing a pill or stopping between cycles lowers Opill’s effectiveness to about 93%.
The FDA previously approved norgestrel as a prescription contraceptive pill in 1973. Opill’s manufacturer, Perrigo, received approval from the FDA in 2023 to sell the drug as an OTC medication.
A 2020 study found that each year, about 39% of pregnancies in Missouri are unintended. Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, resources for pregnant Missourians wishing to terminate pregnancies have become limited, as Missouri was one of more than 20 states that restricted abortion access following the ruling.
Emergency contraceptives, also known as morning after pills, are available to Missourians at no cost through the Missouri Family Health Council. However, 69% of counties in Missouri have moderate, low or no access to obstetric care. Columbia’s Boone County is one of the 31% of counties with full access to obstetric care.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says that individuals who have unintended pregnancies are more likely to experience other major health concerns including delayed prenatal care and the development of mental health problems. More accessible birth control is intended to reduce barriers to contraceptives and decrease the number of unintended pregnancies.
With the approval of Opill, pregnancy prevention will be more accessible for Missouri residents. Those who have difficulty accessing a physician will now have access to birth control at their local pharmacy without a prescription or medical insurance.
Edited by Genevieve Smith | gsmith@themaneater.com
Copy edited by Grace Knight