It’s time for over-the-counter birth control pills: The movement to free the pill

Each of us should have the freedom to make decisions about our own bodies and lives with dignity and respect. Birth control pills are an essential part of the full range of sexual and reproductive health care, and are one of the best-studied medicines on the market today. However, there are many barriers to getting birth control pills, including having to obtain a prescription from a health care provider, that disproportionately impact specific communities due to systemic inequities in our health care system. Birth control pills should be available over the counter (OTC), fully covered by insurance, priced affordably, and made available to people of all ages to ensure more equitable access. 

Learn more about the barriers to contraceptive access and the potential of OTC birth control pills to expand access and give people greater control over their reproductive health and lives in our fact sheet.