In a move designed to help more people prevent unwanted pregnancies in a post-Roe world, the FDA has done something unheard of. They have approved the first over-the-counter-birth control pill in an attempt to expand access to pregnancy prevention.

Oral contraceptives have become the most common form of birth control in the U.S., but all of them required a prescription for use – until now.

The medication’s manufacturer said the Opill will be available at stores and online starting in early 2024. And once Opill hits the shelves, it will be the most effective form of birth control available without a prescription – more effective even than condoms. 

Perrigo Company, the medications manufacturer, has said that it will become available in early 2024, though they did not say how much it would cost, other than to say it would remain “accessible and affordable to women and people of all ages.”

The hope is that Opill will give more options to people in rural and medically underserved areas who may not typically have access to sexual education or health services. 

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists has been pushing for wider access to such medications for years now, noting that nearly 45% of pregnancies in the US are unplanned – that’s nearly 3 million pregnancies. The U.S has rapidly fallen behind in its handling of birth control and access to medications that can help prevent pregnancy. 

Dr. Melissa Simon, a professor of clinical gynecology said, “This is a monumental decision. OTC (over-the-counter) birth control is available in over 100 countries, so we’ve been behind in availing safe, effective methods such as this oral contraceptive pill to individuals who are trying to avoid pregnancy.”

Frederique Welgryn, Perrigo’s global vice president for women’s health, said in a statement, “Today’s approval is a groundbreaking expansion for women’s health in the U.S., and a significant milestone towards addressing a key unmet need for contraceptive access.”