The Daily – How the Birth Control Pill Got Over the Counter

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily,” the host explores the history and recent developments surrounding the availability of birth control pills without a prescription in the United States. The decision to make the pill available over the counter marks a significant milestone in reproductive health care. The episode also touches on other related topics, such as the Affordable Care Act, the intersection of birth control and abortion, and the role of political and religious groups in shaping reproductive health policies.

Main Takeaways

Historical Development and Opposition

• For the first time in US history, federal regulators approved the sale of a birth control pill without a prescription.
• The birth control pill was developed in the 1950s and approved by the FDA in 1960, allowing women to control their own reproductive choices and transform American society.
• The pill faced opposition from Catholic leaders, black leaders, and feminists concerned about health side effects and male medical establishment promotion.

Legal and Policy Changes

• In 1965, the Supreme Court ruled that there is a constitutional right to contraception for married couples, paving the way for more popularity of the birth control pill.
• By the 1990s, there was discussion about making the pill available without a prescription.
• In the early 2010s, major medical organizations in reproductive health recommended an over-the-counter birth control pill.

Recent Developments and Access to Reproductive Health Care

• In 2022, a French company partnered with an American reproductive health group to apply for FDA approval for an over-the-counter pill, coincidentally submitted three weeks after Roe v Wade was overturned.
• Over-the-counter birth control pills could improve access to reproductive health care for women who face barriers to obtaining prescriptions, particularly women of color and those in rural communities.
• Doctors argue that requiring prescriptions for birth control pills does not necessarily lead to deeper or more meaningful interactions with healthcare providers.

Political and Religious Factors

• The Affordable Care Act mandated coverage of prescription birth control, including pills, which caused controversy among Catholic employers who were forced to fund practices they deemed morally offensive.
• Anti-abortion forces conflated birth control with abortion and the morning-after pill.
• Anti-abortion groups have not mounted a significant backlash against the move to make birth control available without a prescription, as they are focused on other battles and do not see restricting contraception as a winning issue.

Summary

Historical Development and Opposition

The approval of the birth control pill without a prescription marks a significant milestone in reproductive health care. Since its development in the 1950s and FDA approval in 1960, the pill has been instrumental in empowering women to take control of their reproductive choices. However, it faced opposition from various groups, including Catholic leaders, black leaders, and feminists who were concerned about potential health side effects and the influence of the male medical establishment.

Legal and Policy Changes

In 1965, the Supreme Court recognized a constitutional right to contraception for married couples, which further contributed to the popularity of the birth control pill. Over the years, there were discussions about making the pill available without a prescription, and major medical organizations in reproductive health eventually recommended an over-the-counter option. However, policy changes did not happen immediately due to other reproductive health fights taking the spotlight, such as the Affordable Care Act’s mandate for coverage of prescription birth control.

Recent Developments and Access to Reproductive Health Care

In 2022, a French company partnered with an American reproductive health group to apply for FDA approval for an over-the-counter birth control pill. This application coincided with the overturning of Roe v Wade, highlighting the ongoing debates surrounding reproductive rights. Making birth control pills available over the counter could significantly improve access to reproductive health care for women facing barriers to obtaining prescriptions, such as women of color and those in rural communities. Some argue that requiring prescriptions for birth control pills does not necessarily lead to more meaningful interactions with healthcare providers.

Political and Religious Factors

The Affordable Care Act’s mandate for coverage of prescription birth control created controversy among Catholic employers who objected to funding practices they considered morally offensive. Additionally, anti-abortion forces have often conflated birth control with abortion and the morning-after pill, further complicating the discourse surrounding reproductive health. Interestingly, anti-abortion groups have not mounted a significant backlash against the move to make birth control available without a prescription, as they are currently focused on other battles and do not view restricting contraception as a winning issue.

Conclusion

The approval of over-the-counter birth control pills represents a transformative move in reproductive health care. By removing the requirement for a prescription, access to contraception can be improved for young women, teenagers, women living in poor communities, and rural communities. While political and religious factors have historically shaped the availability of birth control, the current focus on other battles and the increasing attention on contraception have created a favorable environment for this decision. The affordability and accessibility of over-the-counter birth control pills have the potential to positively impact women’s reproductive health and contribute to the ongoing conversations surrounding reproductive rights.