On Thursday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved an over-the-counter birth control pill, marking the first time an oral contraceptive has ever been available without a prescription in the United States to prevent pregnancy. Known as Opill (norgestrel), the much-anticipated announcement is a historic moment for female health.
"When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available non-prescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy," said Patrizia Cavazzoni, M.D., director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research in a statement. "Today's approval marks the first time a nonprescription daily oral contraceptive will be an available option for millions of people in the United States."
