Opill, the first oral contraceptive approved for over-the-counter use in the United States, is set to hit the shelves this month. Manufactured by Perrigo, Opill will be available for purchase without a prescription with a suggested retail price of $19.99 for a one-month supply and $49.99 for a three-month supply.
Perrigo has announced that Opill has already been shipped to major retailers and pharmacies, and pre-orders will be accepted by select retailers starting this week. The availability of Opill online is expected to be immediate, according to Triona Schmelter, the Executive Vice President and President of Consumer Self-Care Americas at Perrigo.
Although it may take a few weeks for the product to reach all retail locations, consumers will be able to find Opill in the family planning section of most retailers once it is on the shelves. Additionally, Opill will be available for purchase on Opill.com.
Opill will be offered in both one-month and three-month packs in stores and online. On Opill.com, a six-month supply will be available for $89.99.
Perrigo states that Opill is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy when taken as directed at the same time every day. This effectiveness is comparable to most other birth control pills, which are up to 99% effective when taken correctly.
Major retailers such as Walgreens and CVS have announced that they will carry Opill. CVS customers will be able to purchase Opill through CVS.com and the CVS Pharmacy app in late March. In early April, Opill will be available at over 7,500 CVS Pharmacy stores, with options for same-day delivery or online purchase with in-store pickup.
Other online retailers, including Stix, a women’s health hub, are also expected to offer Opill. However, concerns about the cost of Opill have been raised. A survey conducted by the nonprofit KFF found that many women who are interested in using over-the-counter birth control pills are willing to pay up to $10 or $20 per month. Advocacy groups, such as Free the Pill, have urged Perrigo to price Opill at $15 for a three-month supply to address contraceptive inequities.
Perrigo aims to make Opill accessible to all consumers and plans to offer a cost assistance program for qualified low-income and uninsured individuals in the coming weeks. For those with insurance coverage, Opill may be eligible for payment or reimbursement through flexible spending or health savings accounts.
While cost and insurance coverage remain potential barriers, the availability of an over-the-counter birth control pill marks a significant step forward in improving access to contraception. It offers an alternative for individuals who face challenges in obtaining a prescription for birth control pills.
Opill, classified as a progestin-only pill, is considered safe for most individuals. It does not carry the same risks of blood clots associated with combined hormonal birth control pills. However, consistent daily use at the same time is crucial for its effectiveness.
Dr. Ashley Brant, the Director of Complex Family Planning at Cleveland Clinic, views Opill as a safe option for the majority of individuals interested in using it. While Opill provides an additional avenue for accessing birth control, traditional methods of obtaining prescriptions and consulting healthcare professionals will still be available for those who prefer them.
Overall, Opill represents a positive advancement in making birth control more accessible to a wider population.