In this photo illustration, a package of Opill is shown on March 22, 2024 in San Anselmo, California.
Justin Sullivan | fake images
CVS Health It said Thursday that its drug plans will cover the first over-the-counter birth control pill in the U.S. at no cost to many health plan sponsors, a decision that could open the door for more people to prevent unwanted pregnancies without a prescription.
The company's pharmacy benefits manager, CVS Caremark, said the pill will be added to its oral contraceptive list of preventive services and will be covered at no cost for many sponsors. The drug, known as Opill Perrigobecame available in pharmacies starting April 1, according to a CVS Caremark pharmacy update dated last week and seen by CNBC.
Pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, maintain lists of medications covered by health insurance plans and negotiate drug discounts with manufacturers. In most stores, Opill retails for $19.99 for a one-month supply and $49.99 for a three-month supply.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Perrigo's drug in July. It's the first time many U.S. residents can buy birth control pills without a prescription, the same way they would buy regular pills like Tylenol or Advil.
The drug could significantly expand contraceptive availability, especially for younger women and those in rural and underserved communities who often have trouble accessing contraception.
Medical organizations have estimated that 45% of the 6 million annual pregnancies in the United States are unwanted.
The pill's entry into the market is a victory for the Biden administration, which has sought to shore up reproductive rights as abortion restrictions increase in many states.
The Supreme Court's decision to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade more than a year ago, which ended 50 years of federal abortion rights, has led to decreased availability of the procedure nationwide and renewed calls to expand access to birth control.
