2023-07-13 15:17:19
Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN) – On Thursday, the US Food and Drug Administration authorized the use of Opill birth control pills without the need for a prescription for the first time.
“Today’s approval marks the first time that daily oral contraceptives, which do not require a prescription, are an option for millions of people in the United States,” said Dr. Patricia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a statement.
“When used as directed, daily oral contraceptives are safe… and are expected to be more effective than over-the-counter contraceptives in preventing unwanted pregnancies.”
Opill is a “mini-pill” that uses only the hormone progestin.
The manufacturer, Perrigo, called the FDA approval “a giant leap for women’s empowerment.”
In a statement, she said the company is committed to making birth control pills “affordable and accessible to women and people of all ages.”
It is not clear when Opill will be available over the counter in stores.
The FDA says it’s up to Perrigo to determine the schedule and price of the drug.
The US Food and Drug Administration has faced pressure to allow Opill to be used without a prescription, from lawmakers and health care providers.
A recent study showed that it has become more difficult for women to access wider reproductive health care services, such as routine check-ups and contraception, in recent years.
Nearly 45% of women faced at least one barrier to reproductive health care services in 2021, an increase of 10% from 2017.
In May, a group of advisors recommended that the Food and Drug Administration approve Opill for over-the-counter use.
The pill must be taken at the same time each day for it to be effective.
The US Food and Drug Administration says the drug should not be taken by anyone who has or has had breast cancer.
The FDA explained that there are some common side effects while taking Opill, which are “irregular bleeding, headache, dizziness, nausea, increased appetite, abdominal pain, cramps or bloating.”
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