{"id":32017,"date":"2023-08-30T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-08-30T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/over-the-counter-birth-control-could-expand-access-to-contraceptives-but-cost-of-pill-to-be-determined\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T01:50:46","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T07:50:46","slug":"over-the-counter-birth-control-could-expand-access-to-contraceptives-but-cost-of-pill-to-be-deter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/over-the-counter-birth-control-could-expand-access-to-contraceptives-but-cost-of-pill-to-be-deter\/","title":{"rendered":"Over-the-counter birth control could expand access to contraceptives, but cost of pill to be determined"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Lori
Lori Kearney, owner of RiverGate Pharmacy in Durango, opens up a package of Norethindrone tablets, a type of birth control that it currently offers before Opill, an oral birth control pill containing norgestre becomes available over the counter. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Some Durango health providers have lauded the U.S. Food and Drug Administration\u2019s approval of Opill, an oral birth control pill containing norgestrel, last month for over-the-counter sales without prescription requirements. Some concerns remain, though.<\/p>\n

The price of the pill, yet to be disclosed by its manufacturer, Perrigo, could affect its accessibility. The pill also requires strict daily use to be effective at preventing pregnancy.<\/p>\n

Before July 13, no contraceptive has ever been approved for non-prescription sales in the United States. Health professionals consider the FDA\u2019s decision a win for reproductive rights after a string of losses locally and around the country.<\/p>\n

Mercy Hospital in Durango, for example, nixed tubal ligations<\/a> at the time of cesarean sections in April. Also, the U.S. Supreme Court\u2019s decision last summer to overturn Roe v. Wade resulted in at least 21 states implementing restrictions or outright bans on abortion.<\/p>\n

But over-the-counter birth control is a powerful development, Southwest Women\u2019s Health Associates owner and nurse practitioner Karen Zink said.<\/p>\n

\"Karen
Karen Zink is a nurse practitioner and owner of Southwest Women\u2019s Health Associates. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

Amanda Araujo, a nurse practitioner who partners with Zink at Southwest Women\u2019s Health, said it\u2019s exciting another contraception option will soon be available to people who want to prevent pregnancy.<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially in this time when there are so many more limitations (being) added in,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains President and CEO Adrienne Mansanares said the FDA\u2019s decision is a nice moment amid an onslaught against reproductive and sexual health in different states.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s really nice to be happy in this moment and to have something exciting, to know that there are ways that we can open up this care for others, especially in this very political environment,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Opill is expected to hit the shelves for over-the-counter purchase in early 2024, according to the FDA. However, one question remains that could impact people\u2019s ability to access the contraceptive: How much will it cost?<\/p>\n

The FDA says the price of Opill will be up to the pill\u2019s manufacturer, which has not yet announced price points.<\/p>\n

Lori Kearney, owner of RiverGate Pharmacy in Durango, said the price of Opill will definitely affect accessibility. If the pill isn\u2019t offered at reasonable and affordable prices, it won\u2019t be as promising a contraceptive for women who can\u2019t afford it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am hopeful that it will be less expensive than any prescription birth control that they can get,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

It is hard to pinpoint what a reasonable cash price point would be compared to prescription birth control, because many prescriptions are dispensed through patients\u2019 insurance, Kearney said. Patients\u2019 copays vary widely, and prices differ based on the kind of birth control that\u2019s being purchased.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are some (contraceptives) that women will take daily for three months and then go off of it for a week. Those are definitely more expensive than others,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Araujo said she hopes the market price for Opill helps accessibility, especially because people who want to prevent pregnancy already face many barriers.<\/p>\n

\u201cI just would hate to see another option that feels out of reach for people who can\u2019t afford it,\u201d she said. \u201cIt should be inexpensive.\u201c<\/p>\n

\"Lori
Lori Kearney, owner of RiverGate Pharmacy in Durango, opens up a package of Norethindrone tablets, a type of birth control the pharmacy currently offers before Opill, an oral birth control pill containing norgestrel, becomes available over the counter. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
Education imperative for effective use<\/div>\n

There is another concern health professionals have about any new prescription drug hitting the over-the-counter market, and that\u2019s education about how to properly use it, Kearney said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a pharmacist, I\u2019m always cautious when any prescription medication gets approved for over-the-counter use because not everyone will do their research to confirm that the medicine is safe and effective for them,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

In the case of Opill, it\u2019s one of the safest forms of oral birth control one can take, she said. But people still need to do their research and pay attention to instructions for taking it correctly.<\/p>\n

Zink, who shares Kearney\u2019s concern, said patients must take Opill on a stringent schedule in order for the contraceptive to work.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf they take it every day, every single day, regardless of whether they\u2019re bleeding (menstruating) or not, it can be pretty effective,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

The sole active ingredient in Opill is norgestrel, Zink said. The pill doesn\u2019t contain estrogen like other birth control pills, which can cause complications such as blood clots. Zink stressed that even if Opill contained estrogen, possible side effects would still be safer for women than pregnancy.<\/p>\n

The main side effect Opill could cause is irregular bleeding \u2013 usually not heavy bleeding \u2013 but regardless of one\u2019s menstrual cycle, the pill needs to be taken consistently every day to work, she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWomen need to be educated so that they do take it properly,\u201d Kearney said.<\/p>\n

She said there is a grace period for missing a dose of just three hours. Health professionals recommend using a backup form of birth control for several days if one misses her daily dose.<\/p>\n

Where to get Opill<\/div>\n

It is not completely clear where Opill will be available over-the-counter locally once it hits the market next year.<\/p>\n

Kearney plans to offer it at RiverGate Pharmacy. She said she sees no reason not to, adding an over-the-counter birth control option is important for all women.<\/p>\n

Megan Boyd, senior manager of retail communications for Walgreens, said in an email, \u201cFollowing the FDA\u2019s approval and once commercially available, Walgreens will offer the over-the-counter birth control Opill as local communities\u2019 most convenient health and wellness destination.\u201d<\/p>\n

Corporate representatives for pharmacies at Albertsons, City Market and Walmart did not respond to written requests for comment about whether Opill will be offered at those locations.<\/p>\n

Staff members at Fort Lewis College\u2019s Student Health Center declined to comment about the subject. Rene Klotz, nurse practitioner and clinical director of the health center, did not respond to emails requesting comment.<\/p>\n

A spokeswoman for FLC said she was unsuccessful in reaching anyone who could discuss the FDA\u2019s decision or if the college would provide Opill through its health services.<\/p>\n

Axis Health Systems, which provides family planning and sexual health services, including contraceptives, responded to an initial inquiry by the Herald<\/em> but ultimately did not provide a comment about whether it will provide the over-the-counter birth control pill.<\/p>\n

Mansanares, CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said she is thrilled with the FDA\u2019s decision because it will improve access to contraception for people who need it immediately and may not have time to make an appointment. However, she isn\u2019t sure if Opill will be offered through PPRM\u2019s 20 Colorado facilities, including the Durango location.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, we still haven\u2019t made that decision,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to take a look first at those price points. Make sure it makes sense for patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

Planned Parenthood\u2019s health centers operate like pharmacies with providers on site. So, the organization itself might not have to carry Opill in order for its patients to access it, she said.<\/p>\n

\"Lori
Lori Kearney, owner of RiverGate Pharmacy in Durango, opens up a package of Norethindrone tablets, a type of birth control the pharmacy currently offers before Opill, an oral birth control pill containing norgestrel, becomes available over the counter. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>
What took so long?<\/div>\n

FDA spokesman Jeremy Kahn said in a statement HRA Pharma, now owned by Perrigo, has been working with the FDA on a nonprescription development program since 2015.<\/p>\n

On June 14, 2022, HRA Pharma \u201csubmitted a supplemental application for a full prescription-to-nonprescription switch of the product,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOn October 13th, 2022, HRA submitted a major amendment to the supplemental application,\u201c he said. \u201cOn May 9th and 10th, 2023, a public Advisory Committee meeting was held, at which certain challenging issues of the application were discussed.\u201c<\/p>\n

The FDA\u2019s decision to make Opill available over the counter says the benefits of doing so to help consumers prevent unintended pregnancy and its medical, economic and societal harms outweigh potential risks of the pill in a nonprescription setting.<\/p>\n

Araujo said she has no clue why the FDA\u2019s decision came about this year and not sooner, but added \u201cit always has to do with control\u201d when it comes to reproductive health.<\/p>\n

Mansanares said she doesn\u2019t know what provoked the FDA\u2019s approval of over-the-counter birth control in July.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat I do know is that there were community-based organizations that had been working on this for literally decades,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd so things take a long time at the federal level, but when they are approved, they can have a tremendous impact.\u201d<\/p>\n

cburney@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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