The first FDA-approved over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, is now available at certain retail pharmacy chains such as CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart, as well as online. It has a suggested retail price of $19.99 for a one-month supply and $49.99 for a three-month supply. A cost assistance program has been launched to provide Opill at reduced or no cost for eligible consumers, and it is suitable for most people of reproductive age to use to prevent pregnancy.
America's first over-the-counter birth control pill, Opill, will be available in stores and online nationwide later this month, offering a new option for accessing oral contraceptive pills without a prescription. The medication, approved by the FDA in 2023, will cost $19.99 for a one-month supply in stores and $49.99 for a three-month supply, with online options available. While hailed as a major victory for reproductive rights, concerns remain about equitable access, cost, and availability, with efforts to address these issues underway. Opill uses progestin to prevent pregnancy and is seen as a significant expansion of contraceptive options in the U.S.
Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S., has been shipped to retailers and will be available online and in stores later this month. It is a progestin-only pill, priced at $19.99 for a month's supply, and is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. The FDA panel and experts have deemed it safe for use without a prescription. This option aims to provide convenient access to contraception for those who may have difficulty visiting a healthcare provider.
The first over-the-counter birth control pill in the US, Opill, has been shipped to major retailers and pharmacies, with a one-month supply costing $19.99 and a three-month supply priced at $49.99. Opill will also be available online and through select retailers, offering a six-month supply for $89.99. While it is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken as directed, concerns about cost and accessibility persist, with advocacy groups urging for lower pricing. Perrigo has announced a cost assistance program for qualified low-income and uninsured individuals, and the pill may be eligible for payment or reimbursement through insurance accounts. Despite potential barriers, healthcare professionals view Opill as a positive step toward improving access to high-quality birth control.
Perrigo, a health and wellness company, plans to lay off approximately 540 employees, which amounts to about 6% of its total workforce, as part of its "Project Energize" restructuring program aimed at generating annual pre-tax savings of $140 million to $170 million by 2026. The company, known for its strong presence in West Michigan, including its North American Corporate Headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids, is set to launch the program in the first quarter of 2024.
Perrigo has issued a recall for certain lots of Gerber Good Start SootheProTM powdered infant formula due to the potential presence of cronobacter sakazakii, a germ commonly found in the environment that can live in dry foods such as powdered infant formula. The recall covers certain lots of the formula that were manufactured at a Wisconsin facility in January. No illnesses have been reported, and the recall is being made out of an abundance of caution. Consumers who purchased the affected formula are told to dispose of it.
Perrigo is voluntarily recalling certain lots of Gerber Good Start SoothePro Powdered Infant Formula in the US due to the potential presence of Cronobacter sakazakii, a bacteria commonly found in the environment that can cause serious symptoms in premature infants, infants under 2 months of age, or infants with weakened immune systems. No distributed product has tested positive for the bacteria, and no adverse events have been reported. The recall affects products manufactured at Perrigo's Gateway Eau Claire, Wisconsin facility from January 02, 2023 to January 18, 2023, and consumers who purchased the product after March 5, 2023 should look for specific lot codes and "use by" dates. Consumers can request refunds and find more information by contacting the Gerber Parent Resource Center.
