Overview

• Researchers surveyed 986 individuals ages 15 to 45 across 44 states between April 2024 and February 2025, comparing those who purchased pills OTC with prescription users.
• OTC access was linked to a 31.8 percentage point rise in initiation among previous nonusers and a 41.0 point increase in switching from less-effective methods.
• Uninsured individuals (31.6% vs 3.5%), rural residents (14.4% vs 8.4%) and racial and ethnic minorities disproportionately adopted the OTC option.
• A three-month supply of the OTC progestin-only pill costs about $50 and many private insurers still require prescriptions for coverage.
• Authors emphasize the need for longer-term follow-up to assess adherence, continuation and impacts on unintended pregnancy rates.