March 5th 2024.
In a groundbreaking move, the FDA has given its stamp of approval to Opill, making it the first nonprescription or over-the-counter contraception pill on the market. After almost a year of waiting, the product is finally making its way to retail pharmacies for consumers to purchase.
Major pharmacy chains such as Walgreens and CVS have already announced their plans to carry Opill. In fact, CVS spokesperson Matt Blanchette confirmed that the pill will be available on CVS.com and through their pharmacy app by the end of March. By early April, it will be stocked in over 7,500 CVS Pharmacy stores, with the option for customers to have it delivered on the same day or pick it up in-store for added privacy and convenience.
The journey of Opill to store shelves actually began nine years ago, but it was only recently that it gained momentum. According to Trina Schmelter, the executive vice president and president of consumer self-care at Perrigo, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the pill, they have been working tirelessly on it for nine years. With FDA approval in July 2023, they have been moving full steam ahead since then.
Experts like Dr. Sarah Prager, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Washington School of Medicine, have also confirmed the safety and effectiveness of the pill. In an interview with NPR, she stated that the progestin-only pill has an extremely high safety profile and can be used by virtually anyone without any health concerns.
The FDA also conducted studies that showed consumer understanding of the information on the Opill Drug Facts label was high, and a majority of them were able to properly use the pill without the assistance of a healthcare professional. This led to the FDA's conclusion that when used correctly, Opill is safe and effective.
But what about the cost? According to CNN, Perrigo has set a suggested retail price of $19.99 for a one-month supply, and $49.99 for a three-month supply, which is comparable to other popular contraception pills like Plan B.
On March 4, the company announced that Opill would be available for pre-order on select retailers' websites and Opill.com, with a planned release to major retail pharmacies in the week of March 8. However, Schmelter cautioned that while it will be available to order online immediately, it may take a few weeks to arrive in stores as it goes through the distribution process.
Opill will be located in the family planning section of most retailers, making it easily accessible for consumers to pick up at their convenience. However, some groups, like Free the Pill, have raised concerns about the price. In a letter to Perrigo, they called for the company to lower the cost of the pill to $15 for a three-month supply. They argue that affordable contraception is a critical issue, especially for marginalized communities who face systemic barriers to accessing it.
Free the Pill highlights the impact of cost barriers on communities of color, citing studies that show how disproportionate these barriers are for Black, Indigenous, Latina/x, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. They believe that by making Opill more affordable, Perrigo and retailers can help combat these inequities and promote access to contraception for all.
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