It will be a birth control pill Available without a prescription at United States of America. federal agency that regulates drugs, FDA In its English acronym, it has given the green light to sell without restrictions this Thursday. opilIt is a drug produced by perrigoThe . The Irish-based drug manufacturer has not yet announced a price.
Nearly 100 countries already allow the over-the-counter sale of birth control pills, and now the United States is joining them. And the decision is an important step in a society presumed to be so. 45% of 6 million pregnancies annually are unintended pregnancies. and where obstacles specifically for access to medical services. youth, women of color and low income.
It also comes in a period of turmoil and setback for reproductive rights, which has changed since the Supreme Court withdrew constitutional protection of abortion last summer. many states ruled by Republicans banned or restricted access to abortion since that time. An intense open legal battle will determine the future of mifepristone, the drug combined with misoprostol, which is used in more than half of the country’s pregnancy interruptions. And the situation just made it bigger Expanding access to birth control is crucial.
More benefit than risk
Opill approved and licensed 50 years ago in the USA 93% effective in preventing pregnancy, It is part of the older generation contraceptives and only synthetic hormone progestin. Although usually this type of drug is also known as ‘.mini pill’It has fewer side effects than others that also combine later developed estrogens, some FDA scientists were reluctant to approve of during the study process.
Their main concern was that the labeling would make it difficult to understand the risks of taking the pill for some women with certain health conditions, particularly those with a history of the disease. breast cancer or if you have abnormal vaginal bleeding. There were also concerns that women were not following instructions to receive it. every day, at approximately the same time, and using another contraceptive or avoiding sex if they miss a dose. Eventually his reluctance was overcome.
a panel in May 17 independent scientific advisors Other experts, including gynecologists, adolescent medicine specialists, and a breast cancer specialist, and others on consumer readiness, they said. unanimous vote that The benefits far outweighed the risks. And this Thursday, in a report announcing the decision, FDA Deputy Director Karen Murry wrote “for an individual consumer of the product.” If they fit the label, the risk is very low and practically non-existent.”.
Dyvia Huitron, 19, a member of Advocates for Youth, one of the organizations advocating access to over-the-counter drugs, also testified at that session. She explained that she started having sex at the age of 16, had no access to pills, and used condoms. A few of her high school friends got pregnant and her parents urged her to stop dating before getting married. “Young people definitely need it.”Announced. “It’s going to have a really significant impact on our lives and our ability to plan for the future.”
price, basic
FDA approval, which predominantly Catholic groups opposed Like the U.S. Bishops’ Conference or the Catholic Medical Association, it’s no longer more effective birth control than over-the-counter On condoms or spermicidal creams in the US.
The key question will be the price at which it is offered for sale. This law Approved under the authority of Barack Obama forces insurance to cover only if you cost prescription contraceptives, Democrats have passed legislation in Congress to try to expand coverage to include over-the-counter items. rules So do most states. obliges those purchased without a prescription to be covered by insurance. And according to a survey conducted last year by the Kaiser Family Foundation, only 16% of women would be willing to pay more than $20 out of pocket.