A drug company is seeking U.S. approval for the first-ever birth control pill that women could buy without a prescription. That sets up a high-stakes decision for health regulators amid legal and political battles over women’s reproductive health.
Many conservative groups stress they are only interested in curtailing abortion, and state bans often explicitly exclude contraception.
Many common medications have made the switch from behind the pharmacy counter, including drugs for pain relief, heartburn and allergies. “A lot of our research has been about making the case to help inspire and support a company to take this work on,” said Kelly Blanchard, president of Ibis Reproductive Health, a group member that supports abortion and contraceptive access.
The pill contains a single synthetic hormone, progestin, which prevents pregnancy by blocking sperm from the cervix. And medical professionals point out that blood clot rates are much higher in women who become pregnant, when hormone levels and reduced blood flow increase clotting risk. The FDA has long monitored the safety of oral contraceptives, updating their warnings over the years.
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