Opill is the first over-the-counter birth control pill to be available online and in pharmacies without a prescription in the U.S. “People can order Opill from Opill.com. Orders will be fulfilled within 24-48 hours and will usually arrive in 3-5 business days,” Sara Young, Perrigo senior vice president and chief commercial officer, Consumer Self-Care America, wrote in an email to The Rider March 19. “Shipping started on March 4, and while every store is different, it should be on shelves in most places in the coming weeks.” PHOTO COURTESY OPILL
The pharmaceutical company Perrigo announced it has shipped Opill, the first over-the-counter birth control pill to be available online and to major retailers and pharmacies without a prescription in a March 4 news release.
Opill is a progestin oral contraceptive that does not include estrogen.
In order for the pill to be effective, it must be taken every single day at the same time.
A three-month pack consists of 84 norgestrel tablets at $49.99 at opill.com.
Dr. Glenn Gray, director of UTRGV Health Services, said students can buy birth control at Student Health clinics.
“They pay for the cost of the medications and the cost of the lab work that goes with the examination,” Gray said.
Women’s health services are offered at Student Health clinics on both campuses.
“In our student health pharmacy we have oral contraceptives, injections,” Gray said. “We also have an availability of more long-term contraceptives, such as implants and IUDs.”
Access Esperanza Clinics offers preventive health services for women, teenagers and men.
The clinic includes services at four locations located in Edinburg, McAllen, Mission and Weslaco.
Various forms of birth control are offered, including the implant, IUD, sterilization, the pill, the patch, the ring, depo (the shot), condoms and emergency contraceptive.
A photo ID and a proof of income, such as pay stubs, can be presented to obtain services.
Kathryn Hearn, community services director for Access Esperanza Clinics, said Opill would be beneficial to increase availability of birth control.
“We think this is a great thing,” Hearn said. “The more available, the more access people have to contraceptives, the more likely they are to use them because convenience matters.”
UTRGV students also qualify for health-care services at all Access Esperanza Clinics.
“Almost all UTRGV students are gonna qualify for free health services,” Hearn said.
In a March 19 email to The Rider from Sara Young, Perrigo senior vice president and chief commercial officer, Consumer Self-Care Americas, she said the pill would be available online through their website.
“We are excited that starting this week people can order Opill from Opill.com,” Young wrote. “Orders can be fulfilled within 24-48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays) and will usually arrive in 3-5 business days.”
In the coming weeks, the pill will be available in stores.
“Moving forward, in addition to online options, consumers will be able to find Opill in the family planning aisle at pharmacies and other retailers across the country,” Young wrote. “Shipping started on March 4, and while every store is different, it should be on shelves in most places in the coming weeks.”
The Affordable Care Act helps with out-of-pocket costs when it comes to purchasing birth control.
“Under the ACA, plans that do include prescriptions, so an insurance plan that isn’t just about doctor visits but includes a prescription plan,” Hearn said. “It must include contraceptives as well.”
According to the FDA, “The most common side effects of Opill include irregular bleeding, headaches, dizziness, nausea, increased appetite, abdominal pain, cramps or bloating.”
“It is safe and effective when it is taken correctly, and our providers would be happy to consult with any student interested in taking it if they have questions,” Gray said.
Hearn said Opill has created more accessibility.
For more information, visit opill.com.
