INSIGHTS
July 17, 2023

FDA OKs OTC BC

Public health advocates cheered last week as the FDA formally approved Opill (or norgestrel), the first over-the-counter birth control pill. This move has the potential to significantly boost reproductive healthcare access, particularly for those who are uninsured, underinsured, or without traditional access channels. We’re watching whether this is also a true win for healthcare affordability; the price has not yet been announced and experts note that payers are not required to cover birth control methods obtained without a prescription. We're also considering how this will play out for digital health companies providing D2C prescription and medication delivery as they contemplate whether Opill is a growth opportunity or competitive threat to their offerings. In the meantime, it's encouraging that the FDA is taking steps to empower consumers in their healthcare decisions as reproductive autonomy is otherwise impacted—and it's certainly a boon to reproductive health champions everywhere to see their efforts rewarded.

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