Supporters

The Pill Over the Counter

“The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists supports over-the-counter access to hormonal contraception without age restrictions.”

— ACOG

“Providing patients with OTC access to the birth control pill is an easy call from a public health perspective as the health risks of pregnancy vastly outweigh those of oral contraceptive use.”

— AMA board member David Aizuss

Voters enthusiastically support over-the-counter access to birth control pills by a +48-point margin.

— Data for Progress/CAI poll

Medical Associations | Voters | Research & Academia | Nonprofit Organizations | Policy Makers

Medical Associations

Almost three dozen medical associations have endorsed FDA review of the pill over the counter, see the list here.

The American Medical Association urged the FDA to “make oral contraceptives available over-the-counter” in June 2022.

Voters

According to a May 2022 national survey, “voters across parties overwhelmingly support access to the pill without needing a doctor’s prescription, and a majority of voters want the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to move forward with allowing the pill to be sold over the counter.”

CLICK HERE FOR THE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT POLL.

Research and Advocacy Groups

Over 100 organizations and individuals have signed onto the Oral Contraceptives (OCs) Over-the-Counter (OTC) Working Group’s Statement of Purpose expressing support for making birth control pills available over-the-counter for people of all ages. Coalition members include medical and health profession associations, reproductive justice organizations, research organizations, advocacy and legal organizations, including Guttmacher Institute, Power to Decide, ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project and dozens of other groups and leaders. The OCs OTC Working Group is convened by Ibis Reproductive Health which also leads Free the Pill, the working group’s public-facing campaigns.

Nonprofit Organizations

Over 75 nonprofit organizations have endorsed the FDA review of the pill over the counter. These include Guttmacher Institute, Power to Decide, ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project, Ibis and dozens of other groups and leaders.

Policy Makers

“The health and well-being of people capable of pregnancy across America is at stake.”

— Joint letter from more than 50 Members of Congress sent to the FDA Commissioner in March 2022

More than 100 Members of the House and Senate are cosponsoring federal legislation in support of access to oral contraception over-the-counter. “The Affordability is Access Act would ensure that once the FDA determines an over-the-counter birth control option to be safe, it approves it without delay—and then would ensure that insurers fully cover over-the-counter birth control without any out-of-pocket costs. The legislation addresses the reality that for many—especially those with the tightest budgets—true access requires affordability.”

“The Affordable is Access Act will ensure that over the counter birth control will be available without a prescription and covered by insurance for anyone who needs it. It is long past time that we get this done.

— Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA)

“Access to over-the-counter birth control is a racial equity issue, a gender equity issue, and an economic equity issue.”

— Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA)

“Women seeking contraceptive care shouldn’t find they have to pay extra, ask permission, or hurdle barriers put up by politicians who think their ideology is more important than a woman’s personal health care decisions.”

— Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA)

“As a doctor, I know access to affordable contraception is critical for women’s reproductive health. It enables women to live healthier lives and enhances their economic security.”

— Rep. Ami Bera M.D. (D-CA-7)

“Women wear many hats in their increasingly busy, daily lives; they should have the ability to access routine use contraception directly from their local pharmacy.”

— Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA)