America’s first over-the-counter birth-control pill adds to expensive and sometimes unreliable options for women
America's first over-the-counter birth-control pill adds to expensive ... Morningstar
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Access to Over-the-Counter Birth Control Approved in the U.S.
Introduction
By Zoe Han
‘We cannot take away access to abortion care without adequately offering pregnancy-prevention care,’ one health advocate said
Background
Starting next year, women in the U.S. will for the first time be able to buy oral contraceptives without a prescription — at pharmacies, convenience stores, grocery stores and from online retailers — after the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved the over-the-counter sales of Opill.
The approval means many women will be able to avoid the time and expense of visiting a doctor to get a prescription for birth control. It will also help expand birth-control access after the Supreme Court struck down the right to abortion that women had under Roe v. Wade, policy experts say.
Importance of Access to Contraceptive Care
“In many of the states that now prohibit abortion care, there are also many people who cannot access contraceptive care,” said Adrienne Ton, health director of clinical operations at TBD Health, a sexual-healthcare company based in Stamford, Conn.
She cited challenges in getting access to birth control, including access to a trusted healthcare provider, the cost of care, insurance status, wait times and even fear of a domestic partner. “The barriers can be more complex for those under 18, so this is a huge win for teens especially,” she added.
Benefits and Safety of Oral Contraceptives
When used as directed, oral contraceptives are safe and would be the most effective birth-control option available over the counter, Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.
Condoms, which are currently the most common over-the-counter birth-control option, are less effective than birth-control pills, with a failure rate of 18%, compared with 9% for the pill, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Opill: Cost and Access
Perrigo Co. (PRGO), the manufacturer of Opill, said it will be available in early 2024, and price information will be released in the coming months. The accessibility of Opill will also depend on whether the drug will be covered by insurance companies: Currently, private health-insurance plans are generally not required to cover nonprescription FDA-approved contraceptives.
The cost of birth-control pills ranges from nothing to $50 a month, depending on a person’s insurance coverage, according to Planned Parenthood, an organization that supports access to abortion services and birth control. According to GoodRx Health, the average annual out-of-pocket cost for birth-control pills is approximately $268.
As the only over-the-counter option, Opill may not be the cheapest birth-control pill on an annual basis, according to GoodRx Health and Planned Parenthood.
Other Contraceptive Options
IUD: The device needs to be inserted by a doctor or a nurse. For those without insurance, it can cost more than $1,000; with insurance, the cost ranges from $0 to about $56. Hormonal IUDs must be replaced every 3 to 6 years, while copper devices last up to 10 years.
Implant: This small, rodlike implant releases hormones that prevent pregnancy. It must be implanted into a person’s arm by a healthcare provider and it lasts three to four years. It costs up to $1,300 without insurance; with insurance, the out-of-pocket cost is about $91, or about $30 per year.
Vaginal ring: This is another hormone-based contraceptive. A soft plastic ring that is placed inside the vagina, it can be purchased at a pharmacy, but it requires a prescription. It must be replaced every month. While insurance typically covers the full price, the annual cost can still be more than $400, depending on the individual insurance plan. Without insurance, it can cost more than $2,000 a year, or about $167 per month.
Patch: The patch contains estrogen and progestin and can be obtained at a pharmacy with a prescription; like the vaginal ring, it must be replaced monthly. It may be fully or partially covered by insurance, with an annual cost up to $88; without insurance, the cost can be as much as $560 annually.
Injection: The shot, which contains progestin, can be injected by a doctor or nurse or by the user at home. It lasts for 3 months. Without insurance, the annual cost can be as much as $245.
Surgical sterilization: Two common surgeries provide a permanent form of birth control:
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article discusses the approval of over-the-counter sales of oral contraceptives in the U.S., which is directly related to improving access to reproductive health services and promoting gender equality. It also highlights the barriers and inequalities faced by individuals in accessing contraceptive care, particularly in states that prohibit abortion care.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- SDG 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
The targets identified are directly related to ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, promoting reproductive rights, and reducing inequalities in access to contraceptive care.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Percentage of women with access to affordable and quality contraceptive care
- Percentage of women aware of their rights to access affordable birth control covered by insurance
- Percentage of women of reproductive age using contraception
- Percentage of states with policies and regulations supporting access to contraception
These indicators can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets by assessing the availability, affordability, and awareness of contraceptive care among women, as well as the presence of supportive policies and regulations.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | – Percentage of women with access to affordable and quality contraceptive care – Percentage of women aware of their rights to access affordable birth control covered by insurance – Percentage of women of reproductive age using contraception |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences. | – Percentage of women with access to affordable and quality contraceptive care – Percentage of women aware of their rights to access affordable birth control covered by insurance – Percentage of women of reproductive age using contraception |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | – Percentage of women with access to affordable and quality contraceptive care – Percentage of women aware of their rights to access affordable birth control covered by insurance – Percentage of states with policies and regulations supporting access to contraception |
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Source: morningstar.com
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