The over-the-counter birth control pill received unanimous support from the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers.
The members of the advisory panel support making the birth-control pill Opill available over the counter.
Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Gets FDA Advisers' Unanimous Support
According to CNN, the FDA advisers recommend the approval of the over-the-counter birth control pill, citing its benefits, which they believe outweigh the potential risks. They all voted in support of Opill, 17-0, with no abstain vote.
As per NPR, the panel members of the advisers of the FDA explained their stand after voting in support of the birth control pill.
One of the advisers of the FDA, Dr. Deborah Armstrong, a Johns Hopkins professor of gynecology, obstetrics, and oncology, notes that the over-the-counter pill lowers the risk of unintended pregnancy. She points out that the prescription-free pill works better than the other contraceptive offerings, which does not require visiting a health care provider.
Meanwhile, the panel member, Kathryn Curtis, a Center for Disease Control and Prevention reproductive health division health scientist, explains why she supported the over-the-control bill. Curtis points out that it has various benefits, such as lowering unintended pregnancies and its risks. In addition, the health scientist also notes that it increases reproductive autonomy.
The president and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Opill parent firm Perrigo, Murray Kessler, celebrated the unanimous vote from the advisers of the FDA. He says the company "is proud to lead the way in making contraception more accessible to women in the US."
On top of that, the Perrigo CEO emphasized that they are "motivated by the millions of people who need easy access to safe and effective contraception."
Medical groups in the US also welcomed the unanimous support of the advisory panel of the FDA. The American Medical Association highlighted that non-prescription oral contraceptives have shown in the past 60 years that their benefits counterbalance their "limited risks."
What's Next for the FDA?
Although the advisory panel recommended the US agency approve the over-the-counter birth control pill, it may mean something other than that the FDA would follow their recommendation. It still has the prerogative to go against the recommendation.
However, NPR notes that the FDA usually decides based on the suggestion of its advisory panel. But it remains to be seen if the agency will follow the same route this time.
The New York Times reports that once the FDA approves the birth control pill, Opill will be available for sale over the counter without any prescription. And as such, it should help expand women's access to contraception since it no longer requires a visit to a health professional, according to some reproductive health experts.
In turn, it should help women save time and money as they no longer have to free up their schedule to head to a healthcare facility to get their hands on oral contraception.
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