FDA approves first-ever prescription-birth control pill for early 2024 rollout

The Food and Drug Administration has approved an over-the-counter birth control pill for the first time ever. 

The approval applies to Opill, otherwise known as the mini pill because it only contains one hormone, progestin, whereas other ‘combination’ pills contain both progestin and estrogen. 

Medical experts and activists who have been pushing for the approval have argued that its availability over the counter opens the door for young women as well as poor women who may not have the necessary time or resources to see a doctor for a prescription. 

Dr Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research said: ‘Today’s approval marks the first time a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive will be an available option for millions of people in the United States.

‘When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available nonprescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy.’