Birth Control

Table of Contents

Introduction
Early Birth Control
Margaret Sanger from 1914 Birth Control Pamphlet to 1942 Formation of Planned Parenthood
Invention and Rise of the Pill
Birth Control Boom and Key Supreme Court Cases
Who Uses the Pill
How the Pill Works
FDA Path to OTC Status
Efforts to Move Birth Control Pills OTC
FDA Approval of First OTC Birth Control Pill: Opill
Pros
- Pro 1: Birth control pills are safer than many OTC drugs and common activities.
- Pro 2: OTC birth control pills would increase access for low-income and medically underserved populations.
- Pro 3: OTC birth control pills could lower the rate of unintended pregnancies, saving taxpayers billions of dollars.
- Pro 4: OTC birth control pills could further lower teen pregnancy rates.
- Pro 5: Making birth control pills OTC could lower the abortion rate.
- Pro 6: Making the Pill OTC would increase continuous use, leading to long-term health benefits.
- Pro 7: Women are responsible and knowledgeable enough to care for their own bodies.
- Pro 8: Most women want OTC access to birth control pills and say it would improve their lives.
- Pro 9: OTC birth control pills would be more affordable.
Pro Quotes
Cons
- Con 1: OTC birth control would raise the cost of the drug.
- Con 2: OTC status for birth control pills could result in more unwanted pregnancies.
- Con 3: Teens are not knowledgeable enough to have access to OTC birth control pills.
- Con 4: Women who take birth control pills without medical supervision can put themselves at risk.
- Con 5: Tying prescription birth control to a visit with a medical professional results in additional screenings, tests, and conversations that promote overall good health.
- Con 6: OTC status for birth control pills would decrease privacy.
- Con 7: Drug manufacturers are unlikely to make the Pill entirely OTC, so improved access has to be accomplished through other means.
- Con 8: Since most birth control pills are not available OTC, many women will not receive the best pill for their needs.
- Con 9: Making the Pill OTC would increase the use of hormonal drugs that may disrupt and damage the body.
Con Quotes
Drugs Switched from Prescription to Over-the-Counter Status
- Sources for “Drugs Switched from Prescription to Over-the-Counter Status”
Prescription Status of Birth Control Pills around the World
- Sources for “Prescription Status of Birth Control Pills around the World”
Discussion Questions
Take Action
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