Staff Reports
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ultimately approved over-the-counter birth control, which may increase access to hormone-based contraceptives. This is a tremendous victory for conservatives who have advocated for greater access to contraception as a means of combating abortion. Finally, there is a viable alternative to Planned Parenthood clinics!
First Ever Over-the-Counter Birth Control Gets FDA Approval After Years of Hesitancy https://t.co/riMTW8nbDN
— RedState (@RedState) July 13, 2023
Perrigo is the first pharmaceutical company to receive FDA approval to sell its variant of the drug, Opill, over-the-counter. This means that millions of individuals in the United States can now purchase birth control without needing a doctor's prescription. It's high time! Opill is anticipated to be not only more effective than current nonprescription contraceptive methods, but also less expensive. Taking control of your reproductive health will not be covered by insurance, but that is a minor price to pay.
Psst! ? Birth control should be over-the-counter, pass it on.
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) June 7, 2019
Obviously, the FDA had to include some tedious warnings about potential adverse effects. Some women may experience irregular menstruation, headaches, vertigo, nausea, an increase in appetite, abdominal pain, cramping, or bloating. However, no suffering, no gain, right? It is a modest price to pay for the ability to purchase birth control like any other over-the-counter medication. Not to mention the essential disclaimers: Opill should not be used by individuals with breast cancer or any other type of cancer, nor should it be combined with hormonal contraceptives. Safety first, people!
As expected, advocates for women's health are ecstatic about this FDA approval. Since the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, access to contraception has been a hotly debated topic. This new over-the-counter option will presumably contribute to the reduction of the estimated 45% of unintended pregnancies in the United States each year. It is a victory for personal liberty and the right to decide whether or not to have offspring.
However, wait on a second. Who was the true obstacle to over-the-counter contraception all this time? You may have thought it was those annoying Republicans, right? They have been accused for everything from climate change to the revival of Jersey Shore. But surprise, surprise! In reality, the Democrats and Planned Parenthood were the greatest obstacles to over-the-counter birth control. Why? Planned Parenthood earns a considerable amount of money from contraception, and if women purchase their contraceptives at CVS, there is no financial incentive for Planned Parenthood. Who would have imagined?
The campaign for greater access to birth control is finally making progress. In the first quarter of 2024, women will be able to purchase Perrigo's Opill in pharmacies and via the Internet. This is a game-changing development in reproductive health care, and conservatives should applaud it. It is a victory for individual accountability, personal liberty, and the pro-life movement. We can only hope that this is just the beginning of a new era of contraceptive access for everyone.
