The first over-the-counter birth control pill to be sold in the US was made in Dublin by Perrigo. A group of Democratic senators wrote to Perrigo pleading with them to make the contraceptive widely accessible at a reasonable retail price.
The pioneering birth control pill Opill recently obtained FDA approval to be distributed over-the-counter, representing a huge advancement for reproductive healthcare in the nation.
Ensuring Affordable Opill Birth Control
The senators thanked Perrigo in a letter to the CEO for its part in this historic event, which gave individuals of all ages access to safe and reliable oral contraceptives without a prescription.
But they emphasized how crucial it is to guarantee equal access to this contraceptive choice, which can only be done if Opill is economically priced.
The senators cited a Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) survey from November of the year before to make the point that almost 85% of women were reluctant or unable to spend more than $20 per month for over-the-counter birth control.
The senators urged Perrigo to establish an accessible retail price for Opill and to start widespread distribution right away in order to address the demands of the general population in light of this serious concern.
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Overcoming Financial Barriers to Contraception
The Affordable Care Act requires insurance coverage for preventative services like prescription birth control, but it often does not extend to over-the-counter medications, which is one barrier cited in the letter.
For those without insurance, this exclusion has major ramifications because many might not be able to buy contraception at all.
In conclusion, the Democratic senators’ demand that Opill be made widely available and sold at a reasonable retail price demonstrates their dedication to advance reproductive healthcare and reducing financial barriers that prevent access to contraception.
They aim to have a beneficial effect on the reproductive health and welfare of women by putting an emphasis on cost and accessibility.
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