Photo by Karolina Grabowska
The oral contraceptive, called Opill, has already been shipped to distributors and will be accessible in stores and online in the coming weeks, as well as for pre-order from certain distributors starting this week, announced Perrigo, the drug manufacturer, in a press release.
The product will be marketed without a prescription, with a manufacturer suggested price of $19.99 for a one-month supply and $49.99 for a three-month supply. Opill will also be available on opill.com at a price of $89.99 for a six-month supply.
Pharmacy chains Walgreens and CVS have confirmed that they will sell Opill, according to CNN. Consumers will be able to find the product in the family planning section at most distributors once it becomes available in stores.
Opill was previously available only with a prescription, but the federal government approved the non-prescription version last summer. Opill, sometimes called the "minipill", is a daily oral contraceptive that contains only progestin, unlike a combined pill that contains both estrogen and progestin.
By eliminating the need for time-consuming medical appointments, Opill should make contraception more widely available.
"The availability of an oral contraceptive without a prescription represents a truly revolutionary step in reproductive health," said Melissa J. Kottke, MD, MPH, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Atlanta, in the press release. "Progestin-only pills have been a reliable contraceptive option for decades, yet obtaining a prescription for contraceptive pills creates unnecessary barriers for many. Creating additional opportunities for contraceptive access is essential to help people achieve their reproductive goals."
Perrigo stated that Opill may be eligible to be paid or reimbursed through Flexible Spending Accounts or Health Savings Accounts. Also, a program will be set up to help low-income and uninsured individuals obtain Opill at a low or no cost, according to the drug manufacturer.
"Contraception is a key component of reproductive health care, and the availability of an OTC hormonal option will eliminate some access barriers that prevent people from starting or continuing oral hormonal contraception," said Verda J. Hicks, MD, president of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, in a statement.
"This is particularly important, as there are increasingly more health care deserts in our country where people do not have access to gynecological care. OTC birth control will also help reduce confidentiality concerns for people, making it possible to take control of their reproductive health without risking their privacy."
Sorces:
- PR Newswire: “Perrigo Commences Shipments of Opill® to Retailers Nationwide, Empowering Millions to Enter a New Era of Reproductive Health Access in the United States.”
- CNN: “First on CNN: First over-the-counter birth control pill in US ships to retailers, costing about $20 for one-month pack.”
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “ACOG Statement on Release of OTC Birth Control."
- Written by Ralph Ellis, WebMD