FDA approved 1st over-the-counter birth control pill

The FDA has approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill, a major change that will broaden access for women and teenagers.

The Food and Drug Administration approved the birth control pill Opill — generically known as norgestrel — to be sold over the counter starting Thursday. This is the first oral contraceptive to be dispensed without a prescription in the U.S.

"When used as directed, daily oral contraception is safe and is expected to be more effective than currently available nonprescription contraceptive methods in preventing unintended pregnancy," Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, said in a press release.