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yesterday

OTC Birth Control Tied to Major Uptake Gains in First Year, National Study Finds

Costs near $50 per three months remain a hurdle to wider, equitable use.

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

  • A JAMA Network Open study of 986 people in 44 states compared over-the-counter users with prescription users between April 2024 and February 2025.
  • OTC access was associated with a 31.8 percentage-point rise in starting contraception among prior nonusers and a 41.0-point increase in switching from less-effective methods.
  • Over-the-counter users were more likely to be uninsured, adolescents, rural residents, and from Black or Latina communities, with higher representation from the South.
  • The OTC option is Opill, a progestin-only pill sold in pharmacies and online, with typical retail prices reported at about $50 for a three-month supply.
  • Researchers emphasize the early, cross-sectional nature of the data and the need for longer-term evidence on continuation, adherence, insurance reimbursement, and unintended pregnancy outcomes.