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Fuente Original: A bi-annual newsletter published by the American Society for Emergency Contraception (ASEC) and the Consortium for Emergency Contraception (CEC). Este documento no es una publicación estrictamente del Population Council. Para más información o para subscribirse gratis y recibir el boletín por correo electrónico, favor de enviar su solicitud a : amsocec@aol.com
The Emergency Contraceptive Newsletter Fall 1998 Vol. 3, No. 2
ABOUT THIS NEWSLETTER: This newsletter is prepared and distributed as a voluntary activity on behalf of the American Society for Emergency Contraception and the international Consortium for Emergency Contraception. It is distributed electronically twice each year to anyone who wishes to receive it. To contribute a news item, please send it to Charlotte Ellertson (cellertson@popcouncil.org) or to Kelly Blanchard (kblanchard@popcouncil.org). We reserve the right to check and edit items as appropriate. To join or remove your name from the newsletter circulation list, please write to AmSocEC@aol.com. ABOUT THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR EMERGENCY CONTRACEPTION: The American Society for Emergency Contraception (ASEC) is a voluntary collaboration of organizations that promote the option of emergency contraception for women. Founded in 1997, ASEC has four mandates: 1) to serve as a source of information for the media and others who want information on emergency contraception; 2) to serve as a watchdog for wrong or biased articles in the press and respond with accurate letters to the editor, and to watch for abuses of reproductive rights related to emergency contraception, and draw attention to these problems; 3) to promulgate policies on emergency contraception and to support and disseminate the statements and guidelines of other organizations willing to endorse the method; and 4) to link the members of the emergency contraception field, primarily by sending out (in collaboration with the international Consortium on Emergency Contraception) this semi-annual electronic newsletter on recent events in emergency contraception and by hosting an annual meeting (held the first Friday in October at the offices of the Population Council in New York) to share information with researchers, policy makers and the pharmaceutical industry. ASEC is open to industry participation, although it will not endorse one method or regimen over others that are also safe and effective. Membership is free, and although the focus is primarily on the United States, international affiliates are welcome. To receive a list of the member organizations, please write to AmSocEC@aol.com. The Executive Director of ASEC is currently Kelly Blanchard, who can be reached at (212) 339-0656. ASEC is managed by a newly constituted volunteer steering committee consisting of Charlotte Ellertson (Population Council), James Trussell (Princeton University), Kirsten Moore (Bass and Howes), Laneta Dorflinger (Family Health International), Allen Rosenfield (Columbia University), Elisa Wells (Consortium for Emergency Contraception) and Jackie Buster Lawrence (Planned Parenthood Federation of America). ABOUT THE CONSORTIUM: The Consortium for Emergency Contraception is an international collaboration among eight organizations committed to making a dedicated product for emergency contraception a standard part of reproductive health care around the world. Member organizations are: The Concept Foundation (Bangkok); International Planned Parenthood Federation (London); Pacific Institute for Women’s Health (Los Angeles); Pathfinder International (Boston); Population Council (New York); Population Services International (Washington, DC); Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH); and UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (Geneva). The Consortium will fulfill its original mandate by mid-1999. At that time, given the enthusiastic response to emergency contraception around the world, and the increase in the number of organizations engaged in introducing this method, the Consortium will welcome new members interested in working together to ensure a coordinated introduction of emergency contraception worldwide. For information about the Consortium, please contact any of the member organizations. To obtain Consortium materials, contact the Consortium Coordinator, Elisa Wells, 3224 Purdue Street, Anchorage, AK 99508. Phone/fax: (907) 279-2055. E-mail: elisa@alaskalife.net. PRODUCT NEWS: Gynetics Inc. Launches Preven™ the First Dedicated EC Product in the U.S. Early this fall, Gynetics Inc. received notice from the Food and Drug Administration that approved the marketing and advertisement of the Preven™ Emergency Contraceptive Kit. Preven™ is the first specially packaged product approved for emergency contraception in the United States. Each kit contains a Yuzpe regimen for emergency contraception as well as a pregnancy test and a set of instructions for using the tablets. Launched in late September, the kit is available by prescription from pharmacies and clinics. It sells for about $20. Contact: Rod Mackenzie National Publicity Campaign Underway for Preven™ Gynetics Inc. is sponsoring a $30 million national campaign for Preven™. The campaign includes ads in People magazine and other popular media outlets. In addition, information on the kit can be obtained through the toll-free number (1-888-PREVEN2) and the website (www.preven.com). The website received 250,000 hits in its first few weeks of operation. Many other groups who support emergency contraceptives are developing programs to increase knowledge and availability. To date, the widespread news coverage of Preven™ has been extremely positive. Stories on Preven™ have appeared on CBS, NBC and ABC national news. The Jim Lehrer News hour devoted a piece to Preven™ that featured a recently produced EC television ad. Opposition has been very limited. Contact: Rod Mackenzie Schering AG to Launch Tetragynon in France in January 1999 Thanks largely to the efforts of the French Ministry of Health and the Association Pour le Developpement des Methodes de contraception d’Urgence Centre d’Orthogenie, the Berlin based pharmaceutical giant Schering AG has agreed to launch Tetragynon in France in January 1999. Tetragynon is a specially packaged Yuzpe regimen marketed in Denmark, Germany, Norway, Switzerland and Sweden. It has also sold as PC-4 in the United Kingdom and as Neoprimavlar in Finland. Contact: Elisabeth Aubeny HRA Pharma’s Levonorgestrel Receives Approval in France; March 1999 Launch Planned The small French pharmaceutical company HRA Pharma received approval to market a levonorgestrel-only regimen for emergency contraception. HRA Pharma plans to launch the product in March1999. Because of reciprocity laws in the European Community, the approval may be recognized by other countries in Europe. Contact: Andre Ulmann
Women’s Capital Corporation Announces Intent to Market Levo-Only Product in U.S. In early August this year, the Women’s Capital Corporation (WCC) announced its plans to submit a new drug application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for a specially packaged progestin-only emergency contraceptive product. WCC is a privately held company, organized in 1997, which aims to bring a dedicated levenorgestrel-only EC product to the U.S. and Canada, and also to develop other critically needed reproductive health products for women. WCC’s planned product will consist of two 0.75 mg levenorgestrel tablets. The first dose is taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex and the second is taken 12 hours later. It is manufactured for WCC by a European pharmaceutical company, which also supplies contraceptive products to international family planning programs and is a major supplier of levenorgestrel to the U.S. and world markets. Contact: Sharon Camp COUNTRY UPDATES: United States PPFA Announce "Dial EC" and "EC-To-Go" Services The Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) announced on September 14, 1998, the launch of the two new services designed to improve access to emergency contraception. The "Dial EC" service allows Planned Parenthood counselors to discuss EC over the phone with potential clients, and, when appropriate, to call in prescriptions for EC to a convenient pharmacist without the need for a clinic visit. Since EC use must be initiated within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse, this service could be particularly helpful to women who live far from an emergency contraception provider, or who for other reasons, cannot make it to a clinic. This service had in the past been offered to established clients, but it is now available to first-time clients as well. In addition, many Planned Parenthood affiliates are now offering women packets of "EC-To-Go". These are packets of emergency contraception that women can keep at home to use immediately if needed. Gloria Feldt, PPFA President stated, "Our aim is to make sure every woman knows about emergency contraception and has it available when she needs it." Along with these two programs, PPFA is also undertaking a three-year public information campaign to raise awareness of emergency contraception. Contact: Jackie Buster-Lawrence Planned Parenthood Federation
of America Mandated Coverage of Prescription Contraceptives in Employee Health Insurance Plans Building on efforts to require insurance company reimbursements for the men’s reproductive health product, Viagra, family planning organizations are currently working with Federal and State legislators to mandate coverage of prescription contraceptives (including EC) in employees’ health insurance plans. Congress has already approved provisions that would require the federal government to cover prescription contraceptives for all employees, but much work remains in the area of mandates for private-sector employees. Maryland was the first state to pass legislation requiring coverage and several other states are considering similar programs. Mandating coverage has been opposed by employers, insurers and anti-abortion groups. These groups argue that such a mandate would substantially raise the cost of health coverage. Anti-abortion groups also oppose mandated coverage of contraceptives because they argue that some contraceptives cause abortion. They feel mandating coverage denies employees the right to choose a health plan that does not include that benefit. Many family planning and women’s groups argue that increased use of contraceptives will reduce the demand for abortion and unwanted pregnancies. Although there is debate on this issue, it has not been as heated as with other issues concerning reproduction or efforts to mandate health benefits. According to supporters, Congress’ recent approval of the provision including mandatory coverage is a significant positive step. Many private-sector companies use Federal health benefit plans as a template for their coverage, so the actions of Congress may be an indication of what is to follow. Contact: Paul Blumenthal Washington State "Standing EC Prescription" Pharmacists Pilot Project Off to a Great Start PATH, Washington State Pharmacists Association, University of Washington Department of Pharmacy, Washington State Board of Pharmacy and Elgin DDB Needham are collaborating on a two-year pharmacy project, funded by the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. The project aims to expand women’s access to EC by direct provision of the therapy through pharmacists. Pharmacists, under collaborative agreements with health care providers who have independent prescribing authority, including nurse practitioners and other authorized prescribers, can provide EC directly to women. In the project’s first four months, over 110 participating pharmacies wrote and filled more than 2,700 EC prescriptions. One major pharmacy chain reported filling an average of one EC prescription per week prior to the launch of the project. Since the launch of the project, this chain has increased its average number of EC prescriptions to 61 per week. Other states are looking to replicate the program, and the program was recently highlighted in discussion in the United Kingdom about over-the-counter provision of Schering’s PC-4, a dedicated emergency contraception product available in that country. Pharmacists participating in the project are listed on the Emergency Contraception Hotline (1-888-NOT-2-LATE) and on the Emergency Contraceptive Website (http://opr.princeton.edu/ec/). The hotline has received over 4,934 calls from Washington State since the beginning of the Project. The average number of calls from that state prior to the launch was 110 per month, which has increased to 1,160 per month thanks to the publicity about the service and the recent ad campaign (see item below). Contact: Jane Hutchings PATH
Women Happy to get EC Directly from Pharmacists in Washington State A collaborator in the Washington State Pharmacy Project (see item above) has surveyed users of the new service to evaluate their satisfaction. Data from the first two months of the evaluation suggest that women rate their interaction with the pharmacists highly. Moreover, 50% of women reported obtaining emergency contraception on the weekend or after 6 PM on a weeknight, when they more than likely did not have access to a physician or other emergency contraception prescriber. A large proportion (42%) of survey respondents stated that they would have simply waited to see if they became pregnant if they had not been able to get emergency contraception from a pharmacist. Contact: Jane Hutchings PATH EC Hotline, Webpage and Ad Campaign Continue to Raise Public Awareness in the U.S. To increase awareness of emergency contraceptives, the Office of Population Research at Princeton University in collaboration with the Reproductive Health Technologies Project (RHTP) developed the Emergency Contraception Hotline, 1-888-NOT-2-LATE. Since it was launched in February 1996, the hotline has received more than 125,000 calls. A related website provides a directory of providers and information on EC, and has received over 332,000 hits since its launch a few months prior to the hotline. To boost awareness of the hotline, Princeton University and RHTP sponsored an ad campaign directed at women aged 18 to 34. Ads took the form of Public Service Announcements in the print, radio and television media. The campaign’s success was measured by the number of calls to the hotline and hits to the webpage during the campaign. Following the launch calls to the hotline doubled and the webpage had a 61% increase in hits. Contact: Kristen Moore Reproductive Health Technologies Project Bass and Howes
Anti-Abortion Groups Divided Over EC The recent launch of emergency contraception kit, Preven™, has driven a wedge between U.S. anti-abortion groups. Some anti-abortionists have remained fiercely neutral about EC, while others have openly condemned the method. An example of a group opposing EC, American Life League President, Judy Brown, recently argued that emergency contraception is no different than abortion except that it is putting the procedure in the hands of the woman. She added that any pro-life group who does not denounce emergency contraception is not really in support of the movement. By contrast, the National Right to Life Committee stated that it does not take any position on contraception. They added that they specifically do not consider EC abortifacient. A similar split is evident in Congress. Anti-abortionist Representative Tom Coburn from Oklahoma flatly opposes EC, while House Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde a bastion of the anti-abortion movement has endorsed the treatment for rape victims. Contact: Rod Mackenzie Gynetics Inc. Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) Recommends OTC ECs In a new guide, the SOGC sets out national guidelines for improving contraceptive practices and the sexual health of Canadians. Representing the collective view of specialized health care professionals across Canada, this document included information of a variety of topics involving women’s reproductive health. Included in the guide is a brief chapter on EC. The chapter discusses methods and the efficacy and effectiveness of the technology. The authors, like many other EC advocates for around the world, recommend that EC should be made available without prescription by health care providers. Contact: The Society of
Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada
Mexico City Hotline and Media Campaign to be Launched 14 February 1999 Supported by the Packard and Summit Foundations, the Mexico office of the Population Council plans launched an EC hotline and media campaign in Mexico City on 14 February 1999. The largely automated hotline (and the launch date) was modeled on the US hotline. Contact: Angela Heimburger Ana
Langer Maquiladoras in Tijuana to Introduce EC Education for Employees Employees of the factories that line Mexico’s northern border with the United States are typically young, single females, and often temporary migrants from other parts of Mexico. In a collaborative project sponsored by the General Services Foundation, the Population Council is working together with IMSS and the Association of Maquiladora Industries to introduce education about emergency contraception in a small number of pilot maquiladoras in Tijauana. Contact: Charlotte Ellertson The Pacific Institute for Women’s Health (PIWH) Collaborates with Latin American Women’s Groups on EC PIWH is beginning a project with IMIFAP (Instituto Mexicano de Investigacíon de Familia y Poblacíon) in Mexico City to work with women’s groups in Latin America on emergency contraception. The project will develop feminist materials on EC and share them with Latin American women’s groups interested in the method. Contact: Melanie Peña Susan
Pick Los Angeles, CA 90064 Mixcoac, Mexico D.F 03920 Tel: (310) 842-6828 Tel: (525) 611-58-76 or Fax: (310) 280-0600 (525) 563-62-39 Email: piwh@piwh.org Fax: (525) 598-56-73 Email:imifap@imifap.org.mx United Kingdom’s Birth Control Trust Holds Briefing in London The Birth Control Trust (BCT) hosted a briefing in October in London for researchers, practitioners and policy makers interested in EC as well as for members of the press. Speakers from the WHO, the Population Council, and the NHS presented recent or ongoing research projects to an audience of about 40. The conference resulted in several news items on the radio and in print.
Contact: Amanda Callaghan United Kingdom MP Proposes that ECs Go OTC In an effort to reduce unwanted pregnancies, MP Dr. Jenny Tonge along with a group of about 50 MPs have petitioned for the availability of emergency contraceptives without prescription. To increase access to EC, Family Planning organizations are trying to implement a program that would allow pharmacists to distribute the drug directly to women without having to visit a physician. Although there is support from the government, Schering, the only pharmaceutical company in the UK with a licensed EC product, PC-4, has flip-flopped on their decision and is now reluctant to distribute as a Pharmacy Only Medication (P.O.M). Contact: Amanda Callaghan Media Campaign Launched in United Kingdom Public health groups in Britain are launching a media campaign to inform women about emergency contraception. The campaign was motivated by a recent study published in the British Medical Journal which found that 90% of women who terminated a pregnancy said they would have used EC if they had known how to get it. The campaign will consist of posters and leaflets distributed in subway stations, doctor’s offices and pharmacies. The campaign is sponsored by the Family Planning Association, the Doctor Patient Partnership and the Pharmacy Healthcare Scheme. Contact: Toni
Belfield
UK Pharmacy Gets Threats in Response to New Family Planning Clinic A Glasgow branch of the Boots pharmacy chain recently partnered with a local family planning clinic to open on-site medical consultation for customers, particularly those under the age of sixteen. The program hopes to increase accessibility to contraceptives and information on safe sex for adolescents. In response, the pharmacy and clinic workers have been harassed by shoppers and have even received telephone death threats. A local paper, the Universe, has called for a boycott of the Boots pharmacy because of the program. The campaign organizers, Greater Glasgow Mental Health and Community NHS Trust and Boots have not responded to the threats and in fact to expand the program to eight Glasgow secondary schools in the coming year. Contact: Allison Bigrigg
Sri Lanka EC Consortium Hotline and Clinic Services Bring Posinor-2 to Women An aggressive social marketing approach, coupled with an informative EC video, an EC hotline and a public education campaign involving posters and other materials, has helped make Postinor-2 available to women throughout Sri Lanka. Postinor-2 is currently supplied through Family Association of Sri Lanka (FPASL) clinics, as well as through general practitioners and pharmacists. FPASL, which is the licensed distributor of the registered EC product, has distributed 1,600 units of Postinor-2 to date and has purchased an additional 10,000 units to meet the anticipated demand. An innovative contraceptive "trust fund" combined with tiered pricing for various markets will help ensure the sustainability of future product supplies. Contact: Daya Aberwickrema
Sriani Basnayake
Postinor-2 Available in Indonesia Through the Consortium for Emergency Contraception, EC services are now available in 23 clinics in Indonesia. The Indonesia Consortium plans to expand training activities to reach women’s organizations and members of the Indonesian Midwives Association in response to requests from these influential groups. Contact: Does Sampoerno Kenya Consortium Raising Profile of EC in East Africa Postinor-2 is a registered product in Kenya and services are available through 19 clinics. While the local Consortium initially adopted a low-profile approach (to avoid the controversy that has plagued other contraceptive introduction efforts in Kenya), the group is now considering the feasibility of popularizing the method through expanded media and educational efforts. In addition, the local group is responding to interest from other countries in Africa that wish to introduce EC. Contact: Ezra Teri
RECENT OR UPCOMING MEETINGS: Margaret Sanger Center International and Population Council Host EC Meeting in Malawi In November the Margaret Sanger Center International and the Population Council hosted a meeting on EC in Malawi. The aims of the meeting were to identify where and how EC might be incorporated into reproductive health services within the Southern African Development Community (SADEC), and to share experiences related to needs, public opinion and delivery of EC services. 95 participants from 17 countries attended. Attendees were largely Ministry of Health officials or senior managers in family planning associations. The following countries were represented: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, United Kingdom and the United States. The local host of the meeting, the Honorable Harry Thompson, Minister of Health and Population of Malawi said, "The need to expand the range of contraceptives offered is indisputable." 19 papers were delivered on topics ranging from EC mode of action, through special areas of concern and donor perspectives on support of EC. The group overwhelmingly supported the statement that EC is recognized as a significant element in reducing the rate of abortions and unintended pregnancy. The meeting was conducted with the support of the Wallace Global Fund, UNFPA and USAID. Contact: Folami Harris Family Health International Meeting in DC Family Health International (FHI) recently held a meeting in DC to discuss the use of EC in trials of barrier methods. The discussion focused on several issues including: how EC should be offered to women, the ethics involved in asking not to use EC during a trial, whether estimates of effectiveness without EC barrier are needed, and ways of designing studies with these issues in mind. The group also discussed the possibility of the distribution of EC and barrier methods as a "combination" similar to diaphragms and spermicides. The discussion was lively and although no wide spread agreement was established, there was consensus that the topics of discussion were important and deserve continued dialogue.
Contact: Rosalie Dominik Population Council Hosts the 4th Annual Emergency Contraception Meeting The Population Council and ASEC held the 4th Annual Emergency Contraception Meeting in New York on October 2, 1998. Over 70 representatives from organizations who are interested emergency contraceptives were present. The beginning of the meeting focused on preclinical research, clinical research and industry activity on EC. In the afternoon session, participants discussed public awareness, service delivery and policy. Notes and an official list of attendees are available from Joe Harris of the Population Council. Contact: Joe Harris International Group of Experts Discuss Research A meeting to discuss the mechanism of action in emergency contraception was held at Population Council. Participants exchanged information about research and further study in this field. Some of the proposed research topics were: understanding whether ova released following EC treatment are actually fertilizable, exploring the utility of animal models for research on mechanism of action and performing serial ultrasounds on EC clients to monitor stage of cycle and possible effects of EC. Although not the focus of the meeting, some ideas for public policy were explored. They groups discussed the possibility of commissioning a simple review of the process of fertilization and implantation based on the latest information available, organizing a mechanism of action meeting that explores this topic for all methods of contraception and popularizing the idea that several well-accepted methods of contraception work post-fertilization. Notes and a list of participants are available from Kelly Blanchard in the New York office or Charlotte Ellertson in Mexico. Contact: Kelly Blanchard The Population Council 1 Dag Hammarskjold Plaza NEW MATERIALS: Consortium Spanish-Language EC Packet Available Again Thanks to funding from USAID, through the Population Council’s INOPAL III project, copies of the Consortium’s Spanish Language EC packet are again available. This packet contains a training curriculum, sample client brochures, a medical guide, answers to common questions about EC, guidelines for introduction, and a list of select references. Copies are available from the Consortium Coordinator, from the Mexico or New York offices of the Population Council, or from any Consortium member. Contact: Sylvia Llaguno/Ricardo
Vernon
Consortium EC Packet Available in Portuguese Funding from USAID, through the Population Council’s INOPAL III project, has also enabled a Portuguese translation of the Consortium’s EC packet. As with the English, Spanish and French packets, the Portuguese packet contains a training curriculum, sample client brochures, a medical guide, answers to common questions about EC, guidelines for introduction, and a list of select references. Beginning in January 1999, copies will be available from the Consortium Coordinator, from the Brazil, Mexico or New York offices of the Population Council, or from any Consortium member. Contact: Loren Galvao
Update on ASEC Policy Project The ASEC is working to compile and maintain a comprehensive list of organizations that have endorsed emergency contraception, as well as medical and other journals that have published supportive editorials, special issues or other materials likely to be helpful to advocates of EC. As part of the project, ASEC staff possibly together with the Reproductive Health Technologies Project (RHTP), will also work with additional organizations potentially interested in endorsing EC by sharing model language. The list will be continually updated, and both the list and an accompanying packet of statements will be sent to those requesting it. Contact: Joe Harris The Population Council JAMWA and Entre Nous Devote Special Issues to EC The October issue of the Journal of the American Medical Women’s Association published a special issue on emergency contraception. The issue included fifteen articles on a wide array of issues involving the use of EC. For example, there is discussion EC safety, information on service delivery strategies, current status of dedicated EC products and research using mifepristone and levonorgestrel. Entre Nous, the European Magazine for Reproductive Health, has dedicated its December issues to EC. Entre Nous is published by UNFPA and WHO in two languages and translated to a further four. Contact: Wendy Chavkin Jeffrey
Lazarus
RESEARCH RESULTS and UPDATES Levonorgestrel-only At Least as Effective as Yuzpe With Fewer Side Effects A ground-breaking article published in August 1998 in the Lancet, reported on results of a clinical trial comparing levonorgestrel to the traditional Yuzpe regimen. Three findings were particularly important; (1) in comparison with the Yuzpe regimen the levonorgestrel regimen entailed far fewer side effects, (2) levonorgestrel was more effective than the Yuzpe regimen, (3) for both regimens, delay in starting treatment following unprotected intercourse led to significantly lower efficacy. The study will help smooth the way for registration of levonorgestrel-only EC products around the world. Contact: Paul Van Look Advance Provision of EC Does Not Cause "Irresponsible" Overuse of EC Those who argue against EC often voice concern that increased availability will cause women to rely solely on the method as their primary form of contraception. Recent studies on the issue show no support for that claim. A study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine recruited (n= 1083) barrier method users and women seeking abortions for an investigation on women’s response to advanced provision of EC. Half of the women received information on EC the second half receive information and tablets. A year later, the women completed questionnaires on their contraceptive use. Researchers found that although women expressed satisfaction with EC and felt it should be readily available, there was little evidence to show that these women would abandon more reliable methods of contraception for repeat use of EC. In another study from the U.S., a large survey of EC users showed that 7 out of 10 women said they were using another form of contraception that failed when they used EC. In addition, 93% of women said they would use EC again, however 97% said they would only in an emergency. Contact: Anna Glasier Marie
Harvey 18 Dean Terrace Women’s
Health Repeat Use of EC Very Low Even When Method is Well-known and Readily Available According to preliminary data presented at the November meetings of the American Public Health Association, repeat use of emergency contraception among women is low, even in countries like Scotland and England where the method is widely known and readily available. Records collected prospectively (n=5536) over a six month period in clinics in three cities (Glasgow, Scotland; Liverpool, UK; and Des Moines, Iowa, US), showed that just 5% of women presented to the clinic more than once. Contact: Elizabeth Westley AVSC 79 Madison Avenue Researchers Call for OTC EC in Places Where Prescriptions are Still Required. In an article published in October’s issue of JAMWA, several emergency contraception researchers have called for prescription requirements on emergency contraception to be eliminated. The study reviews the traditional criteria for requiring a prescription and shows that EC meets none of these. Contact: James Trussell Embryo Researchers Share EC Community Need for Accurate and Updated Language on Fertility Advocates for emergency contraception have feared opposition from ill-informed groups who misdefine pregnancy as beginning before implantation of the fertilized ovum. Current controversy surrounding the research of human embryos has identified a group of scientist who fear similar opposition. These researchers are facing a congressional ban of fetal research, which raises the question of when life begins. Pro-life organizations insist that life begins at fertilization. By contrast, these scientists argue that human cells in the early stages are very primitive, undifferentiated and have no identity. Organizations who support emergency contraception share the scientists’ view that fertilization does not mark the beginning pregnancy. Contact: James Trussell
NIH ready to begin Phase III trials of CBD 2914 NIH is about to launch Phase II/III testing of their lead antiprogestogen, CDB 2914, for use in EC. They plan to pursue this compound only for its EC indication, and have a number of other antiprogestogens in the pipeline, although none as far along as CDB 2914. The study will compare efficacy and safety of CDB 2914 to levonorgestrel alone, and will take place in a number of U.S. sites. The study is scheduled to begin soon. Contact: Bob Spirtas |
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