This decision should “reduce barriers to access” this contraceptive method, the FDA says in a statement. “When used as directed, daily oral contraceptives are safe and are expected to be more effective than currently available over-the-counter contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy,” said FDA Director Patrizia Cavazzoni.
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In the United States, nearly half of the 6,1 million pregnancies each year are unintended, according to the FDA.
Many countries already allow contraceptive pills to be sold freely, but in the United States the announcement comes at a time when radical conservatives are opposing the right to abortion, which is banned in several states. The pill, produced by the pharmaceutical company HRA Pharma, recently acquired by Perrigo, has been authorized for years in the country, but with a medical prescription.
