Free the Pill Coalition

Birth control pills are part of the full range of sexual and reproductive health care, and access is a fundamental human right 

The Free the Pill coalition is a group of more than 250 reproductive health, rights, and justice organizations, research and advocacy groups, youth activists, health care providers, prominent medical and health professional associations, and others who share a commitment to ensuring more equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable birth control to people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in the United States. Coalition members support over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pills that are affordable, fully covered by insurance, and available to people of all ages. To express their commitment, coalition members sign on to our statement of purpose. 

The coalition (formerly known as the Oral Contraceptives Over-the-Counter Working Group) has been working since 2004 to build the evidence in support of OTC birth control pills in the United States. Housed at Ibis Reproductive Health, a global research organization, the coalition’s activities are guided by a steering committee of individuals representing research, health, and advocacy communities.

Coalition Engagement Groups

  • COC Working Group

    This group is convened to discuss research, develop recommendations, and explore potential implications of an over-the-counter (OTC) combined oral contraceptive (COC). The group shares insights to help inform the strategy for bringing COCs OTC in the United States and ensure that they are equitably accessible to all people and communities, especially those who face barriers due to systemic inequities and would benefit most from OTC access.

    Subgroup membership is open to coalition members

  • Innovative Distribution Subgroup

    This group focuses on strategies for amplifying information about Opill and other OTC contraceptives, as well as identifying best practices for distribution of Opill and other OTC birth control products—whether through peer-to-peer, vending machine, on-campus, or bulk donation programs—directly to communities.

    Subgroup membership is open to coalition members

  • Native Contraceptive Access Collaborative

    This group of Native-led and serving organizations, Native youth activists, and allied researcher and provider partners work together to advance advocacy, research, communications and campaign strategies to ensure that all Native communities—tribal and urban—are resourced and able to easily access over-the-counter contraceptives.

    Subgroup membership is invitation-only

    Learn more →

  • Affordability & Access Policy Hub

    This group gathers together technical policy experts, Reproductive Justice stakeholders, and other advocates to shape ongoing policy and advocacy efforts around OTC birth control on the state and federal level. The goal of the “Hub” is to facilitate learning, align, and share information on coverage and affordability policy priorities to advance toward similar goals and inform engagement with public officials.

    Subgroup membership is open to coalition members and invited guests

Why now is the time to join the coalition

The FDA’s approval of the first-ever over-the-counter (OTC) daily birth control pill for people of all ages—Opill—was a landmark decision that marks the culmination of two decades of work by members of this very coalition.

Now that Opill is available online and in stores nationwide, we are doubling down on our efforts to ensure that Opill, and future OTC birth control pills, are truly accessible: fully covered by insurance, priced affordably, and available on the shelf, not behind glass or a pharmacy counter. As we do this work, we continue to grow our coalition to be more inclusive of voices key to our movement to free the pill. Join us in this exciting moment and help us advance health equity and reproductive justice.

If you or your organization have direct work or professional interest in the issue, become a coalition member and help drive campaign activities. Please note, employees of the pharmaceutical industry and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are welcome to join the coalition informally as individuals, but we will involve them at our discretion.

Statement of purpose

To express their commitment to ensuring more equitable access to safe, effective, and affordable birth control to people of all ages, backgrounds, and identities in the United States, coalition members sign our statement of purpose.

Statement on racial justice

The Free the Pill coalition affirms that contraceptive equity can never be accomplished as long as racism continues to exist. Our statement on racial justice illustrates our commitment to addressing systemic inequities so that everyone has access to the health care they want and need.