Consumers can buy the pill in-stores and online
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, in July 2023.
Now, the pills are ready for consumers to purchase at many of the biggest pharmacies across the country. Retailers like Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid have made the pill available to shoppers in stores and online.
The availability of an oral contraceptive without a prescription is a truly groundbreaking milestone in reproductive health, said Dr. Melissa J. Kottle, an Atlanta-based gynecologist. Progestin-only pills have been a trusted contraceptive option for decades, yet obtaining a prescription for birth control pills creates unnecessary barriers for many. Creating additional opportunities for contraceptive access is critical in helping people reach their reproductive goals.
Affordability and accessibility
One of the primary goals of an over-the-counter birth control pill is that it makes the contraceptive more widely accessible. In that same vein, the drug manufacturer, Perrigo, said it will offer the drug on its website for under $20 per month, or less than $50 for three months.
The major retail pharmacies have followed suit with this pricing structure. Walgreens, Rite Aid, and CVS have the Opill listed at $19.99 for a one-month supply, and $49.99 for a three-month supply.
Similarly, Walmart and Target shoppers can find the Opill for $18.97 for one month, and $47.97 for three months. On-demand delivery services, like Uber Eats, DoorDash, and Instacart also have the Opill available at similar prices.
Some plans may cover the cost
CVS mail-order prescription service, CVS Caremark, said that the contraceptive will be available at no cost for many drug plans. The company has added the Opill to its list of oral contraceptives, which will allow many contributing insurance companies to cover the cost of the pill.
Consumers with Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) or Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) may be able to have the pill reimbursed or paid through one of these accounts. Perrigo also announced that it will share a cost-assistance program in the coming weeks for low-income or non-insured consumers.
Carrying an over-the-counter FDA-approved birth control pill is an important step in increasing access to reproductive health products and services for women, said Karen Staniforth, senior vice president, chief pharmacy officer, Rite Aid.
Photo Credit: Consumer Affairs News Department Images
Posted: 2024-04-10 10:58:00