Over-the-counter contraceptive pill availability in New York State

Carolyn Joyce; Komal Keerthy; Sedna Gandhi; Ann Frisse; Bianca M Stifani

doi:10.1016/j.contraception.2026.111482

Over-the-counter contraceptive pill availability in New York State

Contraception. 2026 May 5:111482. doi: 10.1016/j.contraception.2026.111482. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Carolyn Joyce¹, Komal Keerthy¹, Sedna Gandhi², Ann Frisse³, Bianca M Stifani⁴

Affiliations

¹ New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States.
² University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, United States.
³ New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, United States.
⁴ New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY, United States. Electronic address: bstifani@nymc.edu.

PMID: 42097482
DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2026.111482

Abstract

Objective: To map access to norgestrel 0.075 mg (Opill) in New York state one year after approval for over-the-counter (OTC) sale.

Study design: We called a random sample of New York pharmacies posing as minors enquiring about Opill. We collected information about pharmacy type and location. We used the Chi Squared test to compare proportions.

Results: Of the 379/7143 (3.5%) registered pharmacies reached, 214 (56.46%) stocked norgestrel and 76/165 (46.06%) could order it. The average monthly cost was $25.29. Chain pharmacies were more likely to stock than others (p < 0.001). There was no difference by location.

Conclusions: The OTC contraceptive pill is not universally available in New York.

Implications: Inconsistent pharmacy availability of the OTC contraceptive pill is liimiting its potential public health impact.

Keywords: Availability; Birth control pills; Contraception; Over-the-counter; Pharmacy.