By Jyoti Jha
The United States has given the green light to the first over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill. This stands as a very important milestone in the world of reproductive healthcare. This approval came as a pleasant surprise to the pro-choice population of the USA. The landmark decision passed by the United States government is bound to have far-reaching consequences for the independence and autonomy of all contraceptive options available to women of the nation.
What is this New Contraceptive Pill in the USA?
Traditionally, birth control pills have been available only through a prescription. So to get your hands on one, you had to visit healthcare providers. Now, this was most commonly time-consuming and expensive.
The pill called “Opill,” which you take once a day, can now be sold without a prescription, making it the first of its kind to be available without needing to visit the pharmacy counter.
This means American women and girls can now get contraceptive medication as easily as buying aspirin or eyedrops.
The FDA to the Rescue
Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, the director of the FDA’s Centre for Drug Evaluation and Research, stated that this approval is a significant milestone, offering millions of people in the United States a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive option.
When used as directed, this daily pill is safe and expected to be more effective in preventing unintended pregnancies compared to other nonprescription contraceptive methods currently available.
More About Opill
The Opill is manufactured by Perrigo, a company based in Dublin. Frederique Welgryn, Perrigo’s global vice president of women’s health, has shown excitement about the approval. He has gone on record by calling it a historic and revolutionary change in the world of contraceptive access and reproductive health.
The FDA approval is significant because it allows the sale of Opill, an oral contraceptive, without needing a prescription. This pill works by thickening cervical mucus or inhibiting ovulation to prevent pregnancy. Before this approval, all hormone-based pills required a prescription, making it more challenging for many women to access them.
Finally! Some Backdrops and Current Issues!
These pills have been the most common form of birth control in the US for decades, used by tens of millions of women since the 1960s. However, tensions continue to rise regarding the reproductive rights of women in the USA. This new contraceptive method is an interesting development after the country-wide anti-abortion developments that came as a whiplash to the upturning of Roe V. Wade.
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