The review process will likely be completed by next year.
French drugmaker HRA Pharma has submitted its hormone-based birth control Opill to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval to be sold over-the-counter in the United States. The pill has already been approved for over-the-counter purchase in South America, Asia, Africa, and the UK.
This is the first time a pharmaceutical company has requested FDA approval for over-the-counter birth control. The timeline for the FDA review is expected to be about 10 months.
A group of more than 50 U.S. legislators wrote to FDA Commissioner Califf in March of this year urging the immediate review of applications for over-the-counter birth control. Their concerns include the inequities in the health care system that make contraception less accessible to minorities, low-income individuals, and others.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Commissioner Califf as he oversees the review and approval process for over-the-counter birth control.
- For members of Congress concerned with the access to contraception for disadvantaged communities and groups.
Sources: AP, NPR
