Over-the-Counter Birth Control and Access Challenges

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Exploring the introduction of an over-the-counter progesterone-only birth control pill in the U.S., discussing pricing, efficacy, and reasons for its delayed launch. The chapter also covers the connection between popular birth control pills and the deaths of young women, touching on shifting attitudes towards medication access and the challenges in making emergency contraception more readily available.

Soon you can buy them all at your local drugstore. The FDA approved an over-the-counter birth control pill that will be available later this month. Journalist Lux Alptraum and Megan Kavanaugh of the Guttmacher Institute explain why available doesn’t necessarily mean more accessible.

This episode was produced by Victoria Chamberlin, edited by Amina Al-Sadi, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by David Herman, and guest-hosted by Alana Casanova-Burgess.

Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained

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