AAP Statement on FDA’s Approval of Over-the-Counter Birth Control Pill

Sandy Chung, MD, FAAP, President, American Academy of Pediatrics

“The American Academy of Pediatrics applauds today’s decision from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to approve the first over-the-counter birth control pill. Making birth control available over-the-counter will help reduce barriers and provide adolescents with another option for accessing evidence-based contraception.

“Reproductive health care is a key component of adolescent health, and as trusted health care providers, pediatricians provide essential reproductive health care for young people. Pediatricians can help answer questions, navigate contraceptive choices, and provide guidance on contraceptive options for each patient.

“Over-the-counter sales of contraception will only improve access if the product is affordable for patients. It is essential that insurers, manufacturers, and policymakers work together to ensure that cost is not a barrier to effective reproductive health care.”

###
The American Academy of Pediatrics is an organization of 67,000 primary care pediatricians, pediatric medical subspecialists and pediatric surgical specialists dedicated to the health, safety and well-being of infants, children, adolescents and young adults. For more information, visit www.aap.org and follow us on Twitter @AmerAcadPeds