Over-the-Counter Contraception
Over-the-Counter Contraception
Oral contraceptives, also known as birth control pills, are widely used and highly effective. However in most of North America and Western Europe, women need a prescription for them. This makes it harder for some people to get birth control, especially if they cannot easily get to a clinician. Our research has found that most women who use or will use contraception are interested in getting it over-the-counter. Many who are not using birth control would be more likely to do so if they could access it over the counter.

Research & tools
See allJanuary 11, 2021
Over-the-counter oral contraceptive use among women in Mexico: results from a national survey
Grindlay K, Wollum A, Karver J, Grossman D. Over-the-counter oral contraceptive use among women in Mexico: results from a national survey. BMJ Sexual & Reproductive Health. January 2021; [Epub ahead of print].
December 9, 2020
A randomized study evaluating the effect of evidence-based information on clinician attitudes about moving oral contraceptives over the counter
Wollum A, Zuniga C, Lezama N, Grossman D, Grindlay K. A randomized study evaluating the effect of evidence-based information on clinician attitudes about moving oral contraceptives over the counter. Journal of Women's Health. December 2020; jwh.2020.8706.
February 27, 2020
Modeling the Impacts of Price of an Over-the-Counter Progestin-Only Pill on Use and Unintended Pregnancy Among U.S. Women
Wollum A, Trussell J, Grossman D, Grindlay K. Modeling the Impacts of Price of an Over-the-Counter Progestin-Only Pill on Use and Unintended Pregnancy Among U.S. Women. Women's Health Issues. February 2020; 30(3):153-160.