First non-prescription birth control, Opill, will be in these Bellingham pharmacies soon

In July, the FDA made headlines by approving a birth control pill for use without a prescription. Opill, which is produced by drug manufacturer Perrigo, was 98% effective in trials and will be on shelves in the coming weeks.

Here’s which Bellingham stores will have Opill stocked and when it will become available.

Which Bellingham stores will carry Opill?

Opill will be available at Walgreens and CVS, according to Perrigo’s Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Sara Young.

Bellingham has three Walgreens locations:

The drugstore chain also has a location in Ferndale.

CVS has one Bellingham location:

Walgreens and CVS aren’t the only two stores that will carry the pill, though. The company wouldn’t share the complete list of stores that plan to carry the pill, but Young told the Herald in an email through a spokesperson that the company “has been pleased with retailers’ response to the product.” Perrigo expects the pill to be in other retail pharmacies too.

A Rite Aid spokesperson told the Bellingham Herald the medication will be in stock at each of the company’s Bellingham stores starting the first week of April. There are three Rite Aid stores in Bellingham:

• Sehome Village shopping plaza

• Sunset Square shopping plaza

• Northwest Ave. in Birchwood

Rite Aid also has locations in Ferndale, Blaine and Lynden.

Employees at Bellingham branches of Costco and Haggen pharmacies said the stores are still unsure if they’ll be carrying the pill.

How much does Opill cost?

While costs may vary from store to store, Perrigo’s suggested price for Opill is $19.99 for a one-month supply and $49.99 for a three-month supply, according to the company’s press release.

$89.99 six-month supplies will also be available, but only at Opill.com.

When will Opill be available?

Opill shipments began on March 4. Perrigo couldn’t give an exact date when the medication will be available in stores but expects it to be “on shelves everywhere” by the end of March.

The story was updated at 12:20 p.m. March 6 to include Opill’s availability at Bellingham Rite Aid stores.