WASHINGTON — CHPA’s president and CEO, Scott Melville, today released the following statement in response to news of HRA Pharma’s application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the first-ever over-the-counter (OTC) birth control pill in the United States:

Scott Melville

“CHPA is pleased to see the Rx-to-OTC switch pathway being used to broaden access to oral contraception. CHPA is committed to empowering self-care. If approved based on the safety and other scientific data provided by the sponsor, this switch will help ensure all Americans have greater access to basic and essential healthcare products.”

“According to survey results released this month by Data for Progress, an overwhelming majority of adults across the U.S. consider birth control to be a basic and essential part of women’s health care. Providing OTC access to daily oral contraception is a long-sought objective for women’s health advocates, care providers, and policymakers that is also supported by more than 70 percent of voters in the U.S.”

“Rx-to-OTC switches have had a tremendously positive impact on U.S. healthcare over many decades by increasing consumer access to safe, effective, and less expensive treatment options. With more than 120 ingredients, indications, or dosages making the switch from Rx to OTC status since 1976,eight occurring within the past five years, CHPA hopes to see even more applications for switch before the FDA.”