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Lawmakers urge swift FDA consideration of over-the-counter birth control

March 7, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Reps. Diana DeGette (D-CO), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) and Judy Chu (D-CA) led more than 50 of their colleagues in sending a letter today to Dr. Robert Califf, the newly confirmed commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration, urging the agency to “follow the science” as it considers making birth control pills available to Americans over the counter, without the need for a prescription.

“This is a critical issue for reproductive health, rights, and justice,” the lawmakers wrote. “We ask for your ongoing commitment to advance public health and follow the science and data in all decisions, including the timely review of the oral contraception applications.”

The lawmakers noted that oral contraception is one of the most studied medications on the market, with widespread evidence supporting the safety and benefits of making it available to patients over the counter.

“Despite decades of proven safety and effectiveness, people still face immense barriers to getting birth control due to systemic inequities in our healthcare system,” the lawmakers wrote. “These barriers are disproportionately borne by people of color, immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, low-income individuals, young people, and people in rural communities – individuals who have faced and continue to face the greatest inequities.

The letter comes as Pro-Choice Caucus leaders continue their push to make oral contraception, whether it is obtained through a prescription or over the counter, available to all those who need without any cost sharing.

As part of that effort, pro-choice leaders are also working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen existing rules that require insurers to cover contraception to ensure that cost is never a barrier for people to obtain the contraceptive product of their choice.

A copy of the letter is available here.