GoodRx, Opill Partner on OTC Delivery Program to Address Gaps in Access

GoodRx and Opill have partnered on a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform that will enable individuals to purchase eligible health care products and medications for home delivery, according to a company news release.¹ The program marks GoodRx’s entry into the OTC market after years of being the leading prescription savings platform in the United States.

Birth control blister packs / areeya_ann - stock.adobe.com

“We are thrilled to launch our e-commerce solution with Opill, an initiative that underscores our mutual commitment to more accessible health care,” said Dorothy Gemmell, chief commercial officer at GoodRx, in the release.¹ “This new feature will provide patients with a simple, seamless way to obtain their eligible medications, building on how GoodRx has already made prescription medications more affordable and accessible for millions of consumers. It also paves the way for other OTC brands and pharma partners to leverage our platform’s reach to expand market presence, increase consumer access to essential medications, and ultimately help drive growth.”

READ MORE: Hormonal Contraceptive Prescribing Benefits Patients, Pharmacies | NCPA 2024

Opill received FDA approval on July 13, 2023, making it easier than ever to access effective birth control, and is now available at various retailers, including grocery stores, pharmacies, and online. GoodRx’s new e-commerce service further expands access to Opill by allowing consumers to order the birth control directly to their homes without a prescription, removing potential barriers such as transportation.

Despite the availability of current contraception methods, nearly half of the 6 million pregnancies that occur in the US each year are still unintended, according to Stephanie Sober, MD, MSHP, global director of medical affairs for women’s health at Perrigo and investigator on the research that led to Opill’s prescription-to-OTC switch.

“When you think back to what was previously available, it’s things like condoms and spermicides, and those unfortunately fall into the less effective contraceptive methods,” said Sober in an interview with Drug Topics.² “So now we’re giving folks who don’t have that access to the health care system increased options and freedom to choose a new option.”

Over 19 million women currently reside in contraception deserts,³ or areas with limited access to contraceptive services. The GoodRx and Opill initiative aims to address this issue by removing major obstacles such as high costs and logistical challenges to obtain the medicine. By providing direct access to OTC birth control, the partnership empowers women to take control of their reproductive health with ease and without a doctor’s visit.

“Perrigo worked for years to bring a US daily oral birth control option OTC, providing a solution to those experiencing barriers like a lapse in insurance coverage and a historic lack of effective options available without a prescription,” said Sara Young, SVP and chief growth and transformation officer at Perrigo in the release.¹

GoodRx’s new e-commerce experience is a testament to the evolving landscape of health care. By leveraging consumer insights and addressing traditional health care challenges, GoodRx allows consumers to take a more active role in managing their health. This approach, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, aligns with the growing trend of health care autonomy and improves access to essential medications.

“Teaming up with GoodRx allows us to leverage its broad user base and easy-to-use platform to make it simple for women to directly order Opill, which is currently the most effective birth control option available without a prescription," said Young.¹ "This partnership makes accessing birth control more convenient for the millions of people who use GoodRx each year."

READ MORE: Women's Health Resource Center

Don’t get left behind: Sign up today for our free Drug Topics newsletter and get the latest drug information, industry trends, and patient care tips delivered straight to your inbox.

References

1. GoodRx unveils new e-commerce platform, launches with Opill. News release. GoodRx. October 31, 2024. Accessed October 31, 2024. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241031197282/en/GoodRx-Unveils-New-E-commerce-Platform-Launches-with-Opill%C2%AE

2. Massaro L. Opill marks a new era for birth control access. Drug Topics. September 20, 2024. Accessed October 31, 2024. https://www.drugtopics.com/view/opill-marks-a-new-era-for-birth-control-access

3. Contraceptive deserts. Fact sheet. Power to Decide. Accessed October 31, 2024. https://powertodecide.org/what-we-do/contraceptive-deserts