The introduction of the over-the-counter (OTC) oral contraception pill (OCP) has revolutionized reproductive health care access in the United States. Since it first became available in retail stores in the US in 2024, OTC OCP has reduced system barriers to initiation and continued use of the pill at a time when public funding for contraception has decreased. The latest story in our Evidence Effect series highlights research from Dr. Maria Rodriguez, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Director of the Center for Women's Health at the Oregon Health & Science University, that shows that OTC OCP is reaching those who have historically faced structural barriers to care such as uninsured individuals, adolescents, and individuals living in rural areas.
Dr. Rodriguez found that access to OTC OCP resulted in a 31.8 percent increase in individuals shifting from using no contraceptive method to using the pill. Her research also shows that in the first 18 months that OTC OCP was available in the US, sales were highest in areas with barriers to reproductive health care, including restrictive abortion laws and a smaller contraceptive workforce. This research shows us very clearly that OTC OCP is reaching the people who need it the most, and provides evidence to back up future policies to make this option more widely available.
Publicizing data from studies like this can help reach those facing barriers to contraception and inform them of their options. Amongst the individuals using OTC OCP that participated in Dr. Rodriguez’s studies, nearly 90 percent reported that it was “extremely important” to them to avoid becoming pregnant in the next year. This data adds to the growing body of evidence supporting reproductive health care access during a time when restrictions are increasing. Furthermore, moving it from peer-reviewed journals into mainstream media such as NPR, CBS, and CNN breaks down barriers to knowledge about reproductive health care that can help people achieve their goal of avoiding becoming pregnant in the future. Watch the full interview with Dr. Rodriguez and visit freethepill.org to learn more about the impact of OTC OCP.
The Evidence Effect: Health Services Research in the Real World is AcademyHealth’s storytelling series that highlights how research answers real-world problems, what changed because of the evidence, and who benefited from the research or policy change. Learn more about the Evidence Effect and discover other examples of what HSR does, why it matters, and the impact it creates for people and communities here.