FDA Advisory Panels Vote Unanimously to Recommend Birth Control Pill Opill for Over-the-Counter Sales in the United States

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panels have voted unanimously to recommend that a birth control pill, called Opill, become available without a prescription. If approved, this would be the first birth control pill to be available for over-the-counter sales in the United States.

The 17-0 vote by two advisory panels came despite serious reservations from agency officials about the quality of the data used to support switching the birth control pill from prescription to over-the-counter. Opill is manufactured by French drugmaker HRA Pharma.

The FDA is not required to follow the recommendation of the committees, though the vote is expected to weigh heavily on its final decision, expected in late summer. It’s one of the last steps in the process, as the FDA is expected to decide whether to lift the current prescription requirement in the coming months.

The FDA has not yet made a decision on the recommendation, but the vote is a positive sign for those who have been advocating for easier access to birth control. Advocates argue that over-the-counter access to birth control would make it more accessible and reduce the need for doctor visits.

The FDA will now review the data and consider the recommendation before making a final decision. If approved, Opill would be the first birth control pill available for over-the-counter sales in the United States. The FDA is expected to make its decision in late summer.