The first over-the-counter birth control pill will soon be available for purchase without a prescription

Damara Hale
·2 min read
2

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The first over-the-counter birth control pill is becoming more accessible after the company behind the contraceptive announced the pill will be making its way to the shelves and for online purchase without a prescription.

One local teen mom says she wished she could’ve had this option.

“That would have helped me out so much because I’m a teen mom,” said Lena Chanthavong, teen mom.

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From her own experience, she says options were limited, so she wasn’t able to have the choice of an over-the-counter birth control pill. For her, she says it started with tough conversations.

“It’s hard to talk to your parents or other people. But having that option and knowing that you can go somewhere or that price is actually very helpful,” said Chanthavong.

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the birth control pill was approved for all ages back in July of 2023. But the drug wasn’t available over-the-counter without a prescription, that will soon change.

“I think it would be a lot cheaper, too, some people don’t have medical insurance and you go to Walmart, you can go to stores, it’s right there,” said Chanthavong.

That’s why she feels having this would be a game changer.

“Although an alternative, an abortion, you know, that’s like, oh, crap, I’m pregnant and I think that’s sad. But having this, they’re able to prevent that,” said Chanthavong.

“It’s always good to discuss something like that with a health person, a health provider,” said Kyra, with Engaging Arkansas Communities, a local non-profit that travels and educates Arkansans about safe sexual health.

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She hopes more people become aware and more educated on being safe.

“Changing, a negative to a positive. So of course, the idea is to be as safe as possible,” said Kyra.

The contraceptive suggested price for a one-month supply would cost $19.99. As for Chanthavong, she says hearing about this option encourages her to educate others with her own story.

“I didn’t know about that over the counter, but that makes me excited, make me want to advocate for what I went through as a teenage mom,” said Chanthavong.

According to the Perrigo company website, the contraceptive is expected to hit the shelves of retailers and drug stores nationwide by the end of March.

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