title: Over-the-Counter Access to Oral Contraceptives.
abstract: Making oral contraceptives (OCs) available over the counter (OTC) could help to reduce the high rate of unintended pregnancy in the United States. Surveys show widespread support for OTC access to OCs among US women. Studies indicate that women can accurately use checklists to identify contraindications to OCs. Continuation is as good or better among OTC users compared with women using OCs obtained by prescription. Women and clinicians have expressed concerns related to making OCs available OTC. These concerns can be addressed by existing data or through research required by the Food and Drug Administration as part of the application to make OCs available OTC.
authors.affiliation: Ibis Reproductive Health, 1330 Broadway, Suite 1100, Oakland, CA 94612, USA; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, University of California, San Francisco, 1001 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA. Electronic address: DGrossman@ibisreproductivehealth.org.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Grossman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D057189:Checklist; D003268:Contraception Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000191:economics; D011209:Power, Psychological; D011247:Pregnancy; D049168:Pregnancy, Unplanned; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health
chemical_list: D003276:Contraceptives, Oral; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs
keywords: Access; Cost; Insurance coverage; Oral contraceptives; Over the counter; Prescription