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2h ago

JAMA Study Finds OTC Birth Control Drives Uptake Among People With Barriers to Care

Early results show cost remains a hurdle, with long-term effects still uncertain.

SAN ANSELMO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 22: In this photo illustration, a package of Opill is displayed on March 22, 2024 in San Anselmo, California. Online sales of Opill, the first daily birth control approved for sale without a prescription in the U.S., began earlier this week and will soon be available for over-the-counter purchases at major pharmacy retailers. (Photo Illustration by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
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Overview

  • The study, published August 18 in JAMA Network Open, analyzed 986 oral contraceptive users surveyed from April 2024 to February 2025.
  • OTC access was associated with a 31.8 percentage point increase in initiation among people who previously used no contraception.
  • Researchers reported a 41.0 percentage point shift from less-effective methods to daily pills among those using the over-the-counter option.
  • Early OTC users were more likely to be uninsured, adolescents, living in rural areas, and from racial or ethnic minority groups.
  • Retail packs are available at major pharmacies for about $19.99 per month or $49.99 for three months, while insurance reimbursement varies and longer-term outcomes need study.