Dhe pharmaceutical company HRA Pharma plans to offer the first over-the-counter contraceptive pill in the United States. The French company filed an application with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Monday to allow its estrogen-free minipill Opill to be sold without a prescription. HRA Pharma Manager Frédérique Welgryn spoke of a “historic application”. Offering a safe and effective contraceptive pill over the counter will give more women access to contraception “without unnecessary hurdles.”
The motion came just weeks after the US Supreme Court abolished the nation’s fundamental right to abortion. The Supreme Court’s highly controversial decision has also prompted consideration of how to improve access to contraceptives to prevent unwanted pregnancies.
Prescription required in Germany
However, a spokeswoman for HRA Pharma said the closeness in time between the Supreme Court decision and the application for an over-the-counter pill was “coincidental”. The company began seven years ago to compile scientific studies for the application.
In many countries such as Brazil, Greece, Mexico and Portugal, contraceptive pills are already available without a prescription. In many other countries – including Germany – a prescription from a doctor is required.
