America’s first over-the-counter birth-control pill adds to pricey, complicated array of options for women
America's first over-the-counter birth-control pill adds to pricey ... Morningstar
sdgtalks
Access to Over-the-Counter Birth Control Approved in the US
By Zoe Han
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
Introduction
Starting next year, women in the U.S. will for the first time be able to buy oral contraceptives without a prescription. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the over-the-counter sales of Opill, which will be available at pharmacies, convenience stores, grocery stores, and online retailers. This approval is expected to improve birth-control access, especially after the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down the right to abortion that women had under Roe v. Wade.
Expanding Access to Birth Control
“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. She highlighted the barriers to accessing birth control, including the lack of a trusted healthcare provider, high costs, insurance limitations, long wait times, and fear of a domestic partner. Ton emphasized that this approval is a significant win for teenagers who face even more complex barriers to contraception.
Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Contraceptives
According to Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, oral contraceptives are safe and effective when used as directed. They are considered the most effective over-the-counter birth-control option, with a failure rate of 9%, compared to 18% for condoms.
Opill: Cost and Access
Opill, manufactured by Perrigo Co. (PRGO), will be available in early 2024. The price information will be released in the coming months. However, the accessibility of Opill will depend on whether insurance companies cover nonprescription FDA-approved contraceptives. The cost of birth-control pills can range from nothing to $50 a month, with an average annual out-of-pocket cost of approximately $268.
Other Birth-Control Options
- IUD: Requires insertion by a healthcare provider, costing over $1,000 without insurance.
- Implant: Must be implanted by a healthcare provider, costing up to $1,300 without insurance.
- Vaginal ring: Requires a prescription and monthly replacement, with costs exceeding $2,000 a year without insurance.
- Patch: Must be obtained with a prescription and replaced monthly, with costs up to $560 annually without insurance.
- Injection: Lasts for 3 months and can cost up to $245 annually without insurance.
- Surgical sterilization: Tubal ligation for women and vasectomy for men, with costs ranging from $1,000 to $6,000 without insurance.
Importance of Access to Contraception
Reproductive health experts emphasize the importance of access to contraception, especially in the absence of access to abortion care. Nine out of ten women aged 18 to 64 have used contraception at some point during their reproductive years. They argue that society must provide pregnancy-prevention care and social support for people with children, alongside access to abortion care.
Conclusion
The approval of over-the-counter birth control in the U.S. aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality). It is crucial to ensure that individuals have easy access to a variety of safe and effective birth control options, along with legal protections, improved health education, and better access to healthcare providers.
This content was created by MarketWatch, which is operated by Dow Jones & Co. MarketWatch is published independently from Dow Jones Newswires and The Wall Street Journal.
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
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
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 Programme 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.
- SDG 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator for SDG 3.7: Proportion of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
- Indicator for SDG 5.6: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care.
- Indicator for SDG 10.2: Proportion of individuals who have experienced discrimination or harassment in the previous 12 months based on a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.
- Indicator for SDG 16.6: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services.
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. | Indicator: Proportion of women of reproductive age (15-49 years) who have their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods. |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences. | Indicator: Proportion of women aged 15-49 years who make their own informed decisions regarding sexual relations, contraceptive use, and reproductive health care. |
| 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. | Indicator: Proportion of individuals who have experienced discrimination or harassment in the previous 12 months based on a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law. |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels. | Indicator: Proportion of the population satisfied with their last experience of public services. |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: morningstar.com
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
