U.S. health regulators are weighing the first-ever request to make a birth control pill available without a prescription
, which is not a contraceptive. Research for over-the-counter use began nearly a decade ago.
FDA's decision won't apply to other birth control pills, only Opill, although advocates hope that an approval decision might push other pill makers to seek over-the-counter sales. Birth control pills are available without a prescription across much of South America, Asia and Africa. Women were paid to track and record their use of the pill, including whether they followed instructions to take it during the same 3-hour window each day. That consistency is key to the drug’s ability to block pregnancy.
The most popular birth control pills today contain the synthetic hormone progestin, which helps block pregnancy, plus estrogen. The addition of estrogen can help make periods lighter and more regular but it also carries the risk of rare blood clots.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
1st RSV vaccine for older adults in US cleared by FDA in historic approvalThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first RSV vaccine in the U.S.
Read more »
In historic approval, FDA clears 1st RSV vaccine for older adults in USThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the first RSV vaccine in the U.S.
Read more »
After decades of attempts, FDA approves 1st vaccine for RSVAfter decades of scientific research, the first vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), designed to protect older adults, has been approved by the United States.
Read more »
1st vaccine for RSV approved by FDAThe U.S. has approved the first vaccine for RSV, shots to protect older adults.
Read more »
FDA approves 1st RSV vaccineThe Food and Drug Administration has approved a vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) for use in people ages 60 and older.
Read more »
FDA considers whether a birth control pill could be sold over the counterThe FDA is on the cusp of deciding whether at least one type of hormonal birth control — a progestin-only drug called Opill by French drugmaker HRA Pharma — is safe enough to be sold over the counter without a prescription and without age restrictions.
Read more »