Family Planning Cooperative Purchasing Program
A non-profit purchasing collaborative for health care & community organizations
August 06, 2008
Six-Week Postpartum Visit Should Be Changed to Three-Week Visit To Consider Contraception
Public Release Date: 31-July-2008
Summary of "The Postpartum Visit: It's Time for a Change in Order To Optimally Initiate Contraception," Speroff, L., and Mishell, D.R., Contraception, August 2008.
Traditionally, women are advised to receive their first postpartum pelvic examination six weeks after childbirth. However, Leon Speroff of Oregon Health and Science University and Daniel Mishell of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine in the commentary write that scheduling the traditional postpartum visit for six weeks after delivery is an "anachronism" that is "based upon statements in old textbooks and teachings from a time when infection was prevalent and before modern methods of contraception were available."
July 30, 2008
Interest of Extended-Cycle Oral Contraceptive Increasing Among Women, Survey Finds
Public Release Date: 29-July-2008
More than two-thirds of women in the U.S. said they are interested in suppressing monthly bleeding using extended-cycle oral contraceptives, according to a survey recently presented at a conference of the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, HealthDay/Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin reports. Despite increased interest, women also expressed some reluctance about the safety of suppressing monthly bleeding, the survey found. However, 97% of physicians surveyed said that it is medically safe and acceptable to suppress bleeding.
July 23, 2008
104 Reps. Send Letter Asking Bush To Halt Potential Rule That Could Limit Birth Control Access
Public Release Date: 23-July-2008
One-hundred four House members on Monday sent a letter to President Bush calling on him to "halt all action" on a proposed regulation being developed by the Bush administration that allegedly seeks to allow medical providers to refuse patients access to commonly used contraceptive methods as a matter of conscience on the grounds that they are a form of abortion, ABC News reports. The letter says the draft regulation's "definitions are so broad as to go far beyond abortion politics and threaten virtually any law or policy designed to protect women's access to safe and effective birth control" (Jaffe, ABC News, 7/21).
July 16, 2008
Legislators, Advocates Respond To Potential Federal Rule That Could Limit Birth Control Access
Public Release Date: 16-July-2008
Rep. Nita Lowey (D-N.Y.) and several family planning advocates on Tuesday responded to a regulation being developed by the Bush administration that would effectively allow abortion to be defined to include commonly used contraceptive methods and would protect the rights of medical providers who refused to offer them, Reuters reports.
Bush Administration Developing Rule That Could Limit Access to Birth Control
Public Release Date: 15-July-2008
The Bush administration is developing a regulation that would define abortion as "any of the various procedures -- including the prescription, dispensing and administration of any drug or the performance of any procedure or any other action -- that results in the termination of the life of a human being in utero between conception and natural birth, whether before or after implantation," the New York Times reports. The draft proposal leaked to the Times also would require all recipients of aid from HHS to certify they will not refuse to hire health care workers who object to abortion and certain types of birth control.
Continue reading "Bush Administration Developing Rule That Could Limit Access to Birth Control "
June 25, 2008
New York City Health Department Approves $2M Contract To Distribute 2M Female Condoms
Public Release Date: 17-June-2008
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene recently approved a $2 million contract to purchase two million female condoms that will be made available in health clinics and organizations, the New York Daily News reports.
June 23, 2008
Teen Pregnancy Surge in Gloucester, Mass., Stirs Debate Over Sex Education, Contraception
Public Release Date: 23-June-2008
A surge in teen pregnancy at a high school in Gloucester, Mass., has sparked a debate over whether to provide students access to comprehensive sex education and confidential distribution of contraception, the New York Times reports (Zezima, New York Times, 6/20).
At least 17 girls at Gloucester High School are pregnant -- four times more than last year -- and nearly half the girls became pregnant after allegedly making a "pact" to become pregnant and raise the children together, TIME Magazine reports (Kingsbury, TIME Magazine, 6/18).
June 18, 2008
Researchers Analyze 35 Trials To Compare Effectiveness, Acceptability, Side Effects of 10 Copper IUDs
Public Release Date: 29-May-2008
Summary of "Copper-Containing, Framed Intrauterine Devices for Contraception: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials," O'Brien et al., Contraception, May 2008.
European researchers recently conducted an analysis of existing studies on the effectiveness and side effects of intrauterine devices -- the most widely used reversible method of contraception worldwide. According to the authors, about 100 million women worldwide, or 13% of women of reproductive age, use an IUD.
June 09, 2008
National Abstinence Education Association Launches Effort Aimed at Gaining Support of 1M Parents
Public Release Date: 2-June-2008
Last week, the National Abstinence Education Association launched a $1 million nationwide campaign aimed at garnering the support of one million parents to lobby schools for more abstinence-only education programs, the Washington Post reports.
May 07, 2008
Newly Revised from CFHC!
What is Right for You? Choosing a Birth Control Method
Our ever-popular What is Right for You? Choosing a Birth Control Method booklet in English and Spanish has been updated and revised for 2008. The new look includes a color photograph cover and information about five new methods: implants, the new cervical cap (FemCap), the sponge, the shield, and cycle beads. Now it provides an introduction to 17 birth control methods, along with EC pills.
This booklet features descriptions, benefits and risks of each method, comparisons of of effectiveness rates, as well as basic information about reproductive anatomy and STDs. What is Right for You? features empowering and attractive illustrations showing real people taking charge of their birth control choices. Written at the 4th grade level, What is Right for You? is sure to meet the needs of diverse clients.
Ordering information can be found at the CFHC Yahoo store (http://epahealth.stores.yahoo.net) and then clicking on the "Birth Control" topic on the left side of the screen.
April 30, 2008
Researchers Examine Hormonal Contraception Prescription Patterns Among Adolescents
Public Release Date: 24-April-2008
Summary of "Trends in Prescribing Patterns of Hormonal Contraceptives for Adolescents," O'Brien et al., Contraception, April 2008.
Researchers in the April issue of Contraception examined whether there was a drop in prescriptions given to adolescents for oral contraceptives that contain the hormone desogestrel, after it was found that the hormone increased the risk of deep vein thrombosis.
April 23, 2008
Continuous Oral Contraceptives Improve Menstrual Symptoms
Public Release Date: 7-April-2008
HERSHEY, Pa. -- Continuous treatment with oral contraceptives may ease pain, heavy bleeding, and other menstrual symptoms compared with standard cyclic contraceptives, researchers found.
However, continuous suppression of the ovaries did not reduce the overall days of bleeding (mean 31.5 versus 35.1 days, P=0.46), reported Richard S. Legro, M.D., of Pennsylvania State University here, and colleagues in the February issue of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
Continue reading "Continuous Oral Contraceptives Improve Menstrual Symptoms "
April 18, 2008
Depo ONE CENT this quarter for 340b Agencies!
Pfizer has dropped the price of Depo to ONE CENT for 340b agencies this quarter (thru June 30). This special applies to Depo Provera 150ML Pre-Filled Vials & Syringes.
This price is available while supplies last. Please contact our preferred wholesaler, R&S Northeast, for ordering information. The phone number is 800-262-7770. Orders include a flat shipping fee of $7.95.
April 16, 2008
Continuous Oral Contraceptives Better at Easing Pain, Bleeding
Public Release Date: 3-April-2008
Continuous oral contraceptives may be more effective than the standard 28-day birth control pills in suppressing the ovary, according to researchers. They say that the continuous pill also causes a significant improvement in pain and behavioral changes.
Continue reading "Continuous Oral Contraceptives Better at Easing Pain, Bleeding"
April 09, 2008
Contraception Options for Women Ages 40, Older Expanding
Public Release Date: 8-April-2008
Women ages 40 and older have more contraceptive options than in previous years, during which their contraceptive options were often limited to tubal ligation surgery and condoms, the AP/Google.com reports.
Continue reading "Contraception Options for Women Ages 40, Older Expanding "
March 26, 2008
Study Examines Diaphragm Use, Acceptability for STI Prevention
Public Release Date: 20-March-2008
Abstract of "Evidence-Based Planning of a Randomized Controlled Trial on Diaphragm Use for Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections," Behets et al. Sexually Transmitted Diseases, March 2008.
Frieda Behets of the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and colleagues examined whether commercial sex workers in Madagascar would accept and use a diaphragm to prevent sexually transmitted infections in an effort to determine potential obstacles in future research on the effectiveness of a diaphragm for use in STI prevention.
Continue reading "Study Examines Diaphragm Use, Acceptability for STI Prevention"
March 05, 2008
Sexually Active Teens With Romantic Relationships More Likely To Use Contraception, Study Says
Public Release Date: 4-March-2008
Sexually active teenagers who identify their relationships with partners as romantic and who go out socially with those individuals are more likely to use contraceptives than similar teens in casual relationships, according to an analysis of data collected by Child Trends, the Washington Post reports.
February 13, 2008
Kroger Launches Discount Drug Program, Includes Generic Birth Control
Public Release Date: 7-February-2008
On Wednesday, the Cincinnati-based Kroger announced that it will begin selling 30-day supplies of more than 300 generic prescription drugs, including birth control pills, at significant discounts at participating pharmacies nationwide, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports.
Continue reading "Kroger Launches Discount Drug Program, Includes Generic Birth Control"
February 06, 2008
Increase in Contraceptive Costs at Colleges Reaching Crisis Level, Advocates Say
Public Release Date: 28-January-2008
The increase in contraceptive costs sold at student health centers on college campuses and some community clinics is becoming a crisis, some advocates for birth control access said recently, McClatchy/Raleigh News & Observer reports. According to some advocates, packets of birth control pills have increased from between $5 and $10 for a monthly supply to between $40 and $50 (Hotakainen, McClatchy/Raleigh News & Observer, 1/27).
Continue reading "Increase in Contraceptive Costs at Colleges Reaching Crisis Level, Advocates Say"
January 30, 2008
Taking Oral Contraceptives Lowers Risk of Developing Ovarian Cancer, Lancet Study Says
Public Release Date: 28-January-2008
The longer a woman takes oral contraceptives, the greater the decline in the risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to a study published Friday in the Lancet, Toronto's Globe and Mail reports.
January 16, 2008
FemCap's HIV Prevention Presentation
Alfred Shihata of FemCap gave a presentation at the HIV Prevention Conference in Atlana last month, and was kind enough to share it with us!
Click here to see the presentation!
December 12, 2007
Princeton Subsidizing Birth Control Cost After Change in Medicaid Law Leads to Price Hike
Public Release Date: 6-December-2007
Princeton University has begun subsidizing the cost of birth control for its students as prices for oral contraceptives have increased in student health centers nationwide due to changes in a Medicaid rebate law, the AP/Long Island Newsday reports (Newmarker, AP/Long Island Newsday, 12/5).
November 27, 2007
Democrats Want Bill to Lower Contraceptive Costs at Colleges, Health Clinics Passed By Dec. 31
Public Release Date: 27-November-2007
Some Democratic lawmakers have been pushing for a bill (HR 4054) that would lower the cost of contraceptives sold at student health centers on college campuses and some community clinics to be passed by the end of this year, the New York Times reports (Davey, New York Times, 11/22). The measure, introduced earlier this month by Reps. Joseph Crowley (D-N.Y.) and Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), would eliminate a financial disincentive for pharmaceutical companies to provide discounts for college clinics and hundreds of "safety net" health care providers.
November 21, 2007
Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Rule That Requires Pharmacists To Dispense EC
Public Release Date: 9-November-2007
U.S. District Court Judge Ronald Leighton on Thursday issued a preliminary injunction against a Washington state Board of Pharmacy rule that requires pharmacists to dispense emergency contraception, the Spokane Spokesman-Review reports (Aleccia, Spokane Spokesman-Review, 11/9).
November 14, 2007
AHA: Contraceptive Pill Linked to Atherosclerosis
Public Release Date: 7-November-2007
ORLANDO -- Oral contraceptives may raise arterial atherosclerosis 20% to 30% for every decade of use, researchers from Belgium reported here.
Continue reading "AHA: Contraceptive Pill Linked to Atherosclerosis"
November 05, 2007
Majority of U.S. Adults Favor Distribution of Contraceptives in Public Schools, Poll Finds
Public Release Date: 2-November-2007
Sixty-seven percent of U.S. adults favor allowing public schools to provide contraceptives to students, including 37% who favor providing them only to children whose parents have consented and 30% who favor providing them to all students who ask, according to a recently released Associated Press-Ipsos poll, the AP/Columbus Dispatch reports.
October 15, 2007
Differing Attitudes Found between Women and Doctors Concerning Menstrual Suppression
Public Release Date: 3-October-2007
Two thirds of women interested in stopping their periods, but unsure about medical implications
PHILADELPHIA – More than the two thirds of the women in a national survey say that they are interested in suppressing their menstrual periods but many of them aren’t sure if it’s safe. Yet when physicians are polled, 97 percent say that continuous oral contraceptive therapy to suppress menstruation is, in fact, medically safe and acceptable. The survey results were presented by Kurt Barnhart MD, MSCE from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine at the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals’ (ARHP) Reproductive Health 2007 conference.
October 10, 2007
AHRP: Women Find Menstrual Suppression Attractive Idea but Question Safety
Public Release Date: 5-October-2007
MINNEAPOLIS -- Patients seem more skeptical than their doctors do on the safety of menstrual suppression with continuous-use oral contraceptives, but the women like the idea, survey results suggested.
Continue reading "AHRP: Women Find Menstrual Suppression Attractive Idea but Question Safety"
October 03, 2007
Congress Should 'Bring Back' Discounted Oral Contraceptives at Colleges, Clinics, Editorial Says
Public Release Date: 14-September-2007
Congress should "act quickly to bring back" an incentive for pharmaceutical companies to provide discounted oral contraceptives at college health centers and community health clinics, which was "inadvertently eliminated" by a 2005 deficit-reduction law that focused on Medicaid, a Boston Globe editorial says (Boston Globe, 9/14).
October 02, 2007
Wal-Mart Adds 11 Generic Drugs to Discounted Prescription Drug Program
Public Release Date: 1-October-2007
Wal-Mart Stores on Thursday announced that it will begin selling eight additional generic drugs for $4 per 30-day prescription and several family-planning drugs for $9, USA Today reports (Appleby, USA Today, 9/28). The added medications include treatments for glaucoma, attention deficit disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, fungal infections and acne (Albright, St. Petersburg Times, 9/28). In addition, Wal-Mart will offer generic versions of the birth control drugs Ortho Cyclen and Ortho Tri-Cyclen and a fertility drug for $9 per 30-day supply.
Continue reading "Wal-Mart Adds 11 Generic Drugs to Discounted Prescription Drug Program "
September 26, 2007
Patent and Trademark Office Reissues Patent for Barr Laboratories' Contraceptive Seasonale
Public Release Date: 26-September-2007
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has reissued a patent to the pharmaceutical company Barr Laboratories for its extended-cycle oral contraceptive Seasonale, the company said Tuesday, the AP/Yahoo! Finance reports. The patent expires June 23, 2017 (AP/Yahoo! Finance, 9/25).
Warner Chilcott Files Suit Against Barr Laboratories Over Application for Generic Version of Chewable Oral Contraceptive
Public Release Date: 26-September-2007
Pharmaceutical company Warner Chilcott on Monday announced it has filed a lawsuit against Barr Laboratories in response to Barr's FDA application for a generic version of Warner's chewable oral contraceptive Femcon Fe, the AP/CNNMoney.com reports (AP/CNNMoney.com, 9/24). The suit was filed in New Jersey District Court (Warner Chilcott release, 9/24).
September 19, 2007
Oral Contraceptives Exonerated in Overall Cancer Risk
Public Release Date: 12-September-2007
ABERDEEN, Scotland -- Contraceptive pills do not increase the overall risk of cancer and may even reduce some risks, according to a huge British cohort study.
However, women who used oral contraceptives for more than eight years had an increased risk for cervical, pituitary, and central nervous system malignancies, Philip C. Hannaford, M.D., of the University of Aberdeen, and colleagues, reported online in BMJ.
Continue reading "Oral Contraceptives Exonerated in Overall Cancer Risk"
September 05, 2007
IUDs Safe and Effective in High-Risk Patients
Public Release Date: 6-August-2007
RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia Commonwealth University researchers have found that intrauterine devices are safe and effective in a population of women previously not considered as good candidates for this method of birth control.
The findings may help physicians develop improved guidelines for providing intrauterine devices (IUDs) to patients.
Continue reading "IUDs Safe and Effective in High-Risk Patients"
August 22, 2007
Barr Pharmaceuticals Challenges Warner Chilcott Patent by Filing Application for Generic Version of Chewable Oral Contraceptive
Public Release Date: 17-August-2007
Warner Chilcott on Wednesday announced it has received a notice from Barr Laboratories indicating that Barr has filed an abbreviated new drug application with FDA for a generic version of the chewable oral contraceptive Femcon Fe, Reuters reports (Tickoo, Reuters, 8/15). According to a Barr release, the company is challenging Chilcott's patent for Femcon Fe, stating that it was the first to file an Abbreviated New Drug Application with FDA (Barr release, 8/15).
August 13, 2007
Colorado, Illinois, Maryland Take Action on Abortion, EC, Sex Education Measures
Public Release Date: 8-August-2007
The following highlights recent state actions on legislation related to abortion, emergency contraction and sex education.
Continue reading "Colorado, Illinois, Maryland Take Action on Abortion, EC, Sex Education Measures "
August 02, 2007
FDA Approves To Modification of Conceptus' Sterilization Device
Public Release Date: 27-July-2007
The San Carlos, Calif.-based pharmaceutical company Conceptus on Wednesday announced that it has received FDA approval of an updated version of its nonincisional female sterilization device called Essure, the AP/Forbes reports (AP/Forbes, 7/25). FDA in November 2002 approved Essure, which consists of small metal coils that are implanted in the fallopian tubes, prompting scar tissue to grow and permanently "plug" the tube. Sterilization is not immediate following the procedure, as the scar tissue might need to grow for up to three months before the fallopian tubes are completely blocked. After three months, patients must return for testing to ensure the tubes have been completely blocked.
Continue reading "FDA Approves To Modification of Conceptus' Sterilization Device "
August 01, 2007
ACOG Opposes Switching Contraceptives Without Woman's Assent
Public Release Date: 31-July-2007
WASHINGTON -- It should be a woman's right to know what oral contraceptive she is taking, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
If a physician or pharmacist switches a woman's oral contraceptive prescription for cost, insurance coverage, compliance, or any other reason, the patient should always be notified about the substitution to avoid confusion and poor compliance, said an opinion issued by ACOG's Committee on Gynecologic Practice, published n the August issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Continue reading "ACOG Opposes Switching Contraceptives Without Woman's Assent"
July 31, 2007
Synova Launches Advertising Campaign for Today Sponge Contraceptive
Public Release Date: 31-July-2007
Synova Healthcare recently launched a new Web site and an advertising campaign to market the Today Sponge female contraceptive in the U.S., the New York Times reports (Levere, New York Times, 7/30).
The sponge, which is constructed of soft polyurethane foam and is inserted into the vagina for up to 24 hours, provides barrier protection and the spermicide nonoxynol-9 to prevent pregnancy. The device is 89% to 91% effective in preventing pregnancy but does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
Continue reading "Synova Launches Advertising Campaign for Today Sponge Contraceptive "
July 25, 2007
Review of Subdermal Implantable Contraceptives
Public Release Date: 18-July-2007
A Cochrane Systematic Review that set out to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of subdermal implantable contraceptives compared to other reversible methods of contraception found that they were all good at preventing pregnancy.
Continue reading "Review of Subdermal Implantable Contraceptives "
July 19, 2007
Pence Amendment Threatens Access to Family Planning Services – Action Needed Today!
Public Policy Alert: 19-July-2007
Today, Representative Mike Pence (R- IN) plans to offer an amendment that would deny Title X funding to Planned Parenthood clinics. This would be an amendment to the House Labor/HHS Appropriations bill that also gives Title X a historic $28 million increase.
July 13, 2007
Teen Birth Rate at Record Low, Condom Use Increases in 2005, Federal Report Says
Public Release Date: 13-July-2007
The teen birth rate in the U.S. reached a record low in 2005, and condom use among high school students increased, according to a report released on Friday by the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics, the Washington Post reports (Kaufman, Washington Post, 7/13). The report, titled "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2007," was compiled from data and studies at 22 federal agencies and addressed 38 key indicators, the AP/USA Today reports.
Continue reading "Teen Birth Rate at Record Low, Condom Use Increases in 2005, Federal Report Says "