Study: Fewer unplanned pregnancies with extended birth-control prescriptions

The journal Obstetrics and Gynecology offers a new and intriguing study of 84,401 low-income California women taking birth control pills. Researchers wanted to know if giving Medi-Cal patients a year’s worth of pills at one time, rather than a one to three months’ supply, would reduce the rate of unintended pregnancy and the number of abortions.

Their data provide considerable confirmation of the hypothesis. On average, the researchers found that women on the pill got pregnant ten times per 1,000 patients when given a year’s supply as compared with 30 pregnancies per 1,000 patients who were given a month’s or three month’s supply. Those given a year’s supply also had only two abortions through the state’s Medicaid program per 1,000 patients as compared with six such abortions per 1,000 patients in the control group.

One criticism against providing patients with more pills at a time is that some of the pills may go to waste if a patient goes off the medication before her year’s supply is finished. However, the pills only cost $15 to $50 per month — obviously much less than the cost of paying for unintended pregnancies and deliveries (not to mention abortions, or the cost of raising children born under such circumstances.)

ACSH's Dr. Gilbert Ross points out that patients with a history of venous disease or hypertension and those who smoke may need more regular follow-up from a physician when placed on the pill. But, in general, he says, “This appears to offer a win-win, and it should be seriously considered by other state Medicaid and insurance providers.”