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FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive

fda.gov

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Re: FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive

#111

Post by CivBase »

WesternWind wrote: post #65
willcipriano wrote: post #6

> The contraceptive efficacy of norgestrel was established with the original approval for prescription use in 1973. HRA Pharma applied to switch norgestrel from a prescription to an over-the-counter product. For approval of a product for use in the nonprescription setting, the FDA requires that the applicant demonstrate that the product can be used by consumers safely and effectively, relying only on the nonprescript…

The same people who hate and politicize abortion also usually hate and politicize contraceptives. I don't know if that had an impact in the choice to seek approval or not, but I wouldn't be surprised. If it looks like Trump might win the electoral college and the Dems might lose Congress, it might not be the worst thing to have stocked up on.

I don't know where this is coming from.

I'm aware that a significant portion of conservatives are very religious and some religious people object to contraception. But I'm not aware of any concerted effort by Republicans to ban or restrict pre-pregnancy contraceptives in my lifetime.

And while I have plenty of thoughts about Trump, I'm not aware of him ever suggesting an interest in restricting access to contraceptives.

Re: FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive

#112

Post by chillydawg »

The pill can have pretty severe mental health impacts on women. I think as long as these are clearly signposted so that women know what they might be getting themselves into, then fair enough. Also tons of other side effects, some of which are pretty severe if taken in combination with the correct (eg most unlucky) underlying health issues.

Re: FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive

#113

Post by pevey »

jncfhnb wrote: post #82

Hmm idk. My anecdata of one wife had a really bad time with oral contraceptives. I feel like behavioral side effects are pretty insidious. She got pretty bad anger problems that would only appear to manifest with those she was very close to (and 95% of the time was me). It was difficult to convince her that her emotions were being selectively biased. Which is a bit of a causality minefield to get into. I worry that m…

Oral contraceptives do have side effects, including effects on mental health. Sometimes the effects seem to be positive. Often, they are quite negative.

These effects are not taken seriously/acknowledged by the vast majority of medical professionals, so I don't see how it is relevant to whether the pills have to be prescribed. It is a separate issue.

People should be free to make their own choice without going through a gatekeeper who adds no value. Most often, women making the choices are more informed (by their social network) of the wide range of potential side effects than their doctor is, who may or may not have a uterus and may or may not take reports of side effects seriously.

Re: FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive

#114

Post by a_wild_dandan »

tyre wrote: post #58
runako wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> but there may be risks, especially if folks don't take the medicine correctly. This describes every over-the-counter drug that has ever been sold. Keeping contraception prescription-only has always been about politics.

The FDA regulates both risks and efficacy. The efficacy of hormonal birth control plummets if not taken consistently, which for progestin-only pills (like this) includes the same time of day[0]. Talking to a doctor ensures that people really understand this. The downside of forgetting to take more advil in time is short-term pain. The downside of not understanding that your birth control isn't working is a child. As…

Conversely, the downside of forgetting when you can take Tylenol is maybe needing an organ transplant or dying. Which...is 100% efficacy on pain reduction, I suppose.

So hey, the OTC medicine gods giveth and taketh.

Re: FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive

#116

Post by jshier »

rcstank wrote: post #104
phone8675309 wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

None yet, but you have to have your head buried in the sand to think that at least a few won't make it illegal in the next decade.

Is this not a slippery slope fallacy?

Not when people have publicly stated they're actively working to ban birth control, no.

Re: FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive

#117

Post by hombre_fatal »

dboreham wrote: post #108
LostLocalMan wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes there is a lot of gatekeeping happening across the board. From my wife's experience living just outside of Portland Oregon: - Prescription has been cancelled twice for no real reason. - Pharmacists have refused to give more than one month at a time more than once. - Even if everyone is on board and not hostile she's only able to get a few months at a time so she has to do this multiple times a year. I can't imagi…

The one month at a time thing is coming from insurance companies not the pharmacy.

Not necessarily. Pharmacies have arbitrary power.

My doctor gives me a three month prescription for a scheduled substance and I've had a couple pharmacies reject it because it's "sketchy". Of course, they never offer to call my doctor to confirm anything. They just smirk and cross their arms.

Re: FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive

#118

Post by giantg2 »

0cf8612b2e1e wrote: post #70
giantg2 wrote: post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd like see the data that supports that. If true, we would do away with the prescription process altogether for most drugs.

That women find getting birth control a hassle? Ask anyone.

No, that the prescription process is providing more harm than good.

Re: FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive

#119

Post by anigbrowl »

hattmall wrote: post #102
WesternWind wrote: post #65

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The same people who hate and politicize abortion also usually hate and politicize contraceptives. I don't know if that had an impact in the choice to seek approval or not, but I wouldn't be surprised. If it looks like Trump might win the electoral college and the Dems might lose Congress, it might not be the worst thing to have stocked up on.

The contingent of people who want abortion restrictions and those who want to ban daily preventative contraception is incredibly minimal. There is no serious mainstream movement whatsoever to ban this type of medicine. This type of hyperbolic proselytizing has no place in reasoned discussion.

You're assuming a fundamentally democratic decision-making process that doesn't exist in reality. It's entirely conceivable that a 5-4 Supreme Court majority could outlaw or restrict something that enjoys broad acceptance in the population at large, for example.

Re: FDA approves first nonprescription daily oral contraceptive

#120

Post by giraffe_lady »

rcstank wrote: post #104
phone8675309 wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

None yet, but you have to have your head buried in the sand to think that at least a few won't make it illegal in the next decade.

Is this not a slippery slope fallacy?

It is not. Significant minorities of the anti-abortion movement are also anti-contraceptive. There are articles and even draft legislation published by these groups from 15+ years ago detailing the ultimate goal being bans on contraceptives.

You could believe they can't achieve those goals, I guess, but believing they want to is not a fallacy in this context come on.

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