Gouverneur, NY – Pharmaceutical manufacturer Perrigo has confirmed that the first U.S. sale of Opill® took place Monday, March 18, 2024, at 10:41 AM at the Kinney Drugs located at 48 Maple Street in Potsdam, NY. Opill® is the first FDA-approved
over-the-counter daily oral contraceptive (birth control) available in the United States. It is a progestin-only birth control pill that is safe and 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used as directed.
Almost one in three adult women who have tried to get a prescription or refill for a birth control pill, patch, or ring have experienced difficulty or were unable to get their next supply in time. Having access to an over-the-counter birth control pill provides a convenient way to prevent unintended pregnancies without needing a prescription. Opill® is now available at all Kinney Drugs locations.
Opill® differs from other oral contraceptives because it is a progestin-only birth control pill (sometimes referred to as POPs or the mini pill). Many birth control pills on the market contain a combination of estrogen and progestin. Opill® contains only one type of hormone (progestin) and is estrogen-free. Opill® should be taken once a day at the same time.
“Many patients experience barriers to accessing contraceptives, such as prescription requirements, inability to take time off work or school to visit with a healthcare provider, and difficulty traveling to healthcare clinics. Kinney Drugs has worked hard to be the first pharmacy in the U.S. to offer Opill® to increase access to safe and effective birth control for our patients,” said Katie Niles, PharmD, R.Ph., Vice President of Merchandising & Marketing.
