F.D.A. Approves First U.S. Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill (www.nytimes.com)

submitted 1 year ago by wjs018@beehaw.org to c/science@beehaw.org

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cross-posted from: https://mander.xyz/post/1133527

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[-] ravheim@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Adding the actual FDA link since it's not behind a paywall. Looks like they've looked at data going all the way back to 1973 to assess the efficacy and safety of the dosage. That will be an important bit of knowledge when the inevitable lawsuit comes out "because the FDA didn't do their due diligence."

[https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-nonprescription-daily-oral-contraceptive]

[-] rikudou@lemmings.world 0 points 1 year ago

Sounds potentially dangerous. Though in the current US climate maybe less dangerous than asking a doctor for prescription.

[-] chepox@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 year ago

Hundreds of other countries in the world sell these over the counter. That means millions of users across dozens of years across the globe. As long as you follow the directions on the packet, like any other medication you can buy OTC, it is safe. Validated by millions of people.

[-] wjs018@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

The type of pill that was approved is the progestin-only "mini pill" which has a much safer clinical profile than the more common-in-the-US combination pill that has both progestin and estrogen. This type of pill is already available OTC in over 100 other countries. The US is just really behind the curve on just about anything to do with reproductive rights and care.

[-] distractedcactus@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Dangerous in what way? According to the article:

The panel cited the long history of safety and efficacy of Opill, which was approved for prescription use 50 years ago. The over-the-counter pill will be identical to the prescription version, which is 93 percent effective at preventing pregnancy with typical use.