How the Birth Control Pill Got Over the Counter

Last week, for the first time in U.S. history, federal regulators approved the sale of a birth control pill without a prescription.

Pam Belluck, a health and science correspondent for The Times, explains why, after decades of brutal battles over contraception, this decision played out so differently.

Guest: Pam Belluck, a health and science correspondent for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• The F.D.A. approved a birth control pill to be sold without a prescription for the first time in the United States, a milestone that could significantly expand access to contraception.
• Here’s how women reacted to the news.

For more information on today’s episode, visit 

nytimes.com/thedaily

. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.