FDA panel approves over the counter birth control

[neverfstop]

CNN

Advisers for the US Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously on Wednesday in support of making the birth-control pill Opill available over-the-counter, saying the benefits outweigh the risks.



Two FDA advisory panels agreed that people would use the Opill safely and effectively and said groups – including adolescents and those with limited literacy – would be able to take the pill at the same time every day without help from a health care worker.

EDITED TO change title to say panel....the full FDA still has to vote on it

[neverfstop]

This is great, but can they move to make all other BC pills, not just this one, OTC?

[wanderingback]

neverfstop - your title is misleading.

To clarify, the FDA ADVISORS voted to approve for otc.
Unfortunately, per people I know, including people who were there today testifying are saying that the FDA seems reluctant to approve. The FDA does not have to follow the advisors recommendation I haven’t heard if we still face more hurdles.

[wanderingback]

Per my friend the FDA has disagreed with advisors about 30% of the time. The FDA is supposed to release their decision in August.

[kitty]

May 10, 2023 13:50:05 GMT -5 neverfstop said:

This is great, but can they move to make all other BC pills, not just this one, OTC?

This one is a progestin-only (mini pill) oral contraceptive which has fewer contraindications than pills that contain estrogen. I think if this ultimately gets approved, we will see other progestin-only pills go OTC but are unlikely to see combination pills since there is no mechanism for adequate counseling about potential risks depending on the person’s health history.

Another plus to this is people can use it as DIY emergency contraception if it is easier to access than products specifically marketed as such.