Opill: The Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Controversy

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the sale of the oral contraceptive Opill without a prescription, making it easier to obtain. However, health insurance plans are not required to cover the medication in its over-the-counter form, potentially limiting access for some women and girls. Opill's manufacturer, Perrigo, plans to make the pill available in major stores and online in early 2024, but insurance coverage for the pill remains uncertain. Democrats in Congress and President Joe Biden are pushing to expand access to contraception, while Perrigo is working to enlist private insurance and state Medicaid programs to offer over-the-counter Opill for free.