Student Spotlight: Expanding Access to Birth Control with OTC Opill®
- premierpharmamentors
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
At Premier Pharma Mentors, we celebrate our students who are tackling some of the most important issues in healthcare today. Recently, Brittany Moore delivered an insightful presentation on Opill®, the first FDA-approved over-the-counter oral contraceptive pill in the United States.
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Student Spotlight
Through her presentation, Brittany demonstrated the critical thinking and analysis that pharmacy students bring to today’s healthcare challenges. Her work underscores how innovation in access can reshape outcomes on a national scale.
Why This Matters
For decades, oral contraceptives have been prescription-only in the U.S., creating barriers for women and individuals who face challenges accessing healthcare. The FDA’s 2023 approval of Opill® for OTC use is a historic step toward expanding reproductive health access, especially for underserved communities.
Study Insights
Brittany’s analysis highlighted a national cohort study of nearly 1,000 women across 31 states comparing OTC Opill® access with prescription-based contraceptives. Key findings included:
Contraceptive initiation: 42% of women with OTC access started contraception, compared to just 11% with prescription access — a 6.5x higher likelihood of starting birth control.
Upgrading effectiveness: Nearly 50% of OTC users switched from less effective methods (like condoms or emergency contraception) to the pill, compared to only 8% in the prescription group.
Equity impact: OTC access was especially meaningful for uninsured women, teens, and women of color, highlighting the role of pharmacy-based solutions in advancing health equity.
Real-World Implications
Brittany emphasized that pharmacy workflows — such as shelf placement, quick counseling, affordable pricing, and adherence support — can amplify the impact of OTC Opill®.
Bottom Line
The move to OTC isn’t just a regulatory change; it’s a public health milestone. By removing the prescription barrier, Opill® has the potential to improve contraceptive access, reduce unintended pregnancies, and empower individuals to take charge of their reproductive health.
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