FDA Considers Allowing Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill Without Prescription

The FDA may approve the sale of birth control medication without a prescription for the first time this summer, pending a recommendation from a committee of independent experts. HRA Pharma's contraceptive, Opill, is being considered for over-the-counter sales, but FDA staff has raised concerns about whether consumers will understand the drug label warning. HRA Pharma expects an FDA decision on the request in the summer. Medical associations have supported over-the-counter access to birth control without age restrictions for years.