Power to Decide Applauds the FDA Advisory Committee’s Unanimous Recommendation Approving OTC Access for Birth Control Pill

WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Advisory Committee voted unanimously in favor of the approval of over-the-counter (OTC) access to the birth control pill without an age restriction. Approving a birth control pill for OTC use could greatly increase contraceptive access for many. 

Power to Decide CEO Raegan McDonald-Mosley, MD, MPH, issued the following statement: 

“Power to Decide applauds the Advisory Committee’s recommendation to approve OTC access for birth control. The committee followed the scientific evidence and paved the way for a massive breakthrough in access to birth control. 

“As a practicing OB-GYN, I am confident that my patients do not need a visit with me to safely and effectively use the birth control pills they need. Requiring prescriptions and provider visits places unnecessary barriers to accessing reproductive health care, especially for those in contraceptive deserts — counties without a single clinic that provides the full range of contraceptive methods. In such areas, people have to travel further just to visit a provider to get their birth control, which means they need to take even more time off work or arrange for more child care. Allowing OTC access for the pill would help eliminate these unnecessary barriers and increase access to reproductive health across the country. 

“The FDA should follow the recommendation of its Advisory Committee and approve the pill for OTC use. This long overdue advancement would be a huge step forward in helping people — no matter who they are or where they live — have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant and have a child.”

###

Power to Decide is a private, non-partisan, non-profit organization that works to ensure all people—no matter who they are, where they live, or what their economic status might be — have the power to decide if, when and under what circumstances to get pregnant or have a child.