Dr. Laura Erdman has been named Top Doctor by Baltimore Magazine. Each year, Baltimore Magazine names Greater Baltimore’s best physicians—in every specialty imaginable. This is the eighth time Dr. Erdman has been named one of Baltimore Magazine's Top Doctors.
Dr. Mary Ahern has joined Capital Women's Care as a provider. Dr. Ahern grew up in Sacramento, California. She received her B.S. in Molecular Environmental Biology from UC Berkeley and earned her M.D. in 2020 from Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in Philadelphia. She went on to complete her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Maryland in 2024. When not at work, Dr. Ahern enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with friends and family. Welcome Dr. Ahern!
The New York Times (3/4, Belluck) reports, “The first nonprescription birth control pill in the United States will be available in stores and online in the coming weeks at a price of $19.99 a month, the manufacturer, Perrigo Company, announced on Monday.” The drug, Opill, “which was approved for over-the-counter sale by the Food and Drug Administration last year, will be the most effective birth control method available without a prescription, research shows – more effective than condoms, spermicides and other nonprescription methods.”
The AP (3/4, Perrone) reports Perrigo “said Monday it has begun shipping the medication...to major retailers and pharmacies.” Opill “will also be sold online.” The medication’s “approval came despite some concerns by FDA scientists about the company’s results, including whether women with certain medical conditions would understand that they shouldn’t take the drug.” American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists President Verda Hicks, MD, FACOG, in a statement “said studies have shown that patients, including adolescents, can effectively screen themselves to use the pills.”
Patients should not take Opill in conjunction with any other hormonal contraceptive and should be sure they tell their physician that they are taking it.