Family Planning Cooperative Purchasing Program
A non-profit purchasing collaborative for health care & community organizations
May 30, 2008
Allocation of Desogen Distribution for 340B Agencies
We are all too familiar with the issues surrounding penny pricing of birth control. Yasmin and more recently Ortho and Depo have illustrated well the myriad of distribution problems which come with those amazing prices. This link is Schering-Plough's answer to the probability of similar distribution issues arising (we have already seen some out East) in regards to Desogen as it is now priced at a penny and will be around that price for an idefinite period of time.
Please note the letter from the Office of Pharmacy Affairs found on the 340B Prime Vendor website here.
Thanks for your time and have a Wonderful Weekend!
- louis
Louis Linsmeyer
Cooperative Manager
California Family Health Council, Inc.
May 28, 2008
House Members Introduce Resolution Asking FDA To Stop Efforts To Ban Hormone Ingredient Estriol
Public Release Date: 28-May-2008
Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) and eight other House members earlier this month introduced a "sense of Congress" resolution (H Con Res 342) that would ask FDA to stop its effort to ban custom-made hormones aimed at treating menopause-related symptoms that contain the ingredient estriol, the Arizona Daily Star 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 15, 2008
AACR: Breast Cancer Vaccine Hints at Mortality Reduction in Recurrent HER2-Positives
Published: April 14, 2008
SAN DIEGO -- For women with recurrent HER2-overexpression breast cancer, an investigational peptide vaccine tended to reduce mortality although there was no impact on disease reappearance, according to data reported here.
April 10, 2008
Study Details Heart Risks from HIV Drugs
Public Release Date: 2-April-2008
COPENHAGEN -- Just days after the FDA warned that two HIV drugs may increase the risk of heart attack, leaders of a major observational study have filled in the details.
Recent use of abacavir (Ziagen) and didanosine (Videx) are associated with a 90% and a 49% increase, respectively, in the risk of myocardial infarction, according to Jens Lundgren, M.D., of the University of Copenhagen, and colleagues in the D:A:D Study Group.
Continue reading "Study Details Heart Risks from HIV Drugs "
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 24, 2008
SGO: Knowledge of HPV Vaccine Found Uneven Among Primary-Care Specialties
Public Release Date: 18-March-2008
TAMPA, Fla., March 18 -- Internists' and family physicians' knowledge about human papillomavirus vaccine lags significantly behind that of colleagues in pediatrics and obstetrics-gynecology, according to a survey reported here.
Continue reading "SGO: Knowledge of HPV Vaccine Found Uneven Among Primary-Care Specialties "
March 20, 2008
SGO: HPV Vaccine Reduces Abnormal Pap Tests and Cervical Procedures
Public Release Date: 10-March-2008
TAMPA, Fla., March 10 -- Vaccination with the human papillomavirus quadrivalent vaccine (Gardasil) significantly reduced the frequency of abnormal Pap smears over four years and the need for cervical procedures and surgery, investigators reported here.
Continue reading "SGO: HPV Vaccine Reduces Abnormal Pap Tests and Cervical Procedures "
March 19, 2008
Making Sure Your Medicines Help You, Not Hurt You
Public Release Date: 3-March-2008
As we age, our bodies work harder to break down the medicines we take to provide the most health benefits. Medicines (prescription drugs, over-the-counter medication, and dietary supplements such as vitamins and herbs) are complex substances. But, if you understand what it takes for your body to use your medicines, you can help your body get the most benefit from the medicines with the least risk.
Continue reading "Making Sure Your Medicines Help You, Not Hurt You"
March 12, 2008
Anti-HIV Gel Proven Safe, Tolerable for Women
Public Release Date: 25-February-2008
Phase II study results set the stage for larger trials to see if tenofovir prevents HIV infection
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – An experimental anti-HIV gel is safe for women to use on a daily basis, according to researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.
Continue reading "Anti-HIV Gel Proven Safe, Tolerable for Women"
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 27, 2008
Mail Order Pharmacies Growing More Popular
Public Release Date: 26-February-2008
Of Americans who buy prescription drugs, the proportion who purchase them from mail order pharmacies rose from just under 9 percent in 2000 to just over 13 percent in 2005, according to the latest News and Numbers from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Continue reading "Mail Order Pharmacies Growing More Popular "
February 20, 2008
Microbicide Doesn't Stop HIV But May Have a Future
Public Release Date: 19-February-2008
NEW YORK -- The only anti-HIV microbicide to make it through clinical trials doesn't prevent HIV infection, researchers said here.
But the microbicide gel -- dubbed Carraguard -- is safe for up to two years of vaginal application, according to Khatija Ahmed, M.B.Ch.B., of Setshaba Research Center near Pretoria. Dr. Ahmed called the safety of the gel a "major milestone" for microbicide development.
Continue reading "Microbicide Doesn't Stop HIV But May Have a Future"
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!
Health Officials Report Pain, Fainting Among Girls Receiving Merck's HPV Vaccine Gardasil
Public Release Date: 7-January-2008
U.S. health officials in recent months have received reports of pain and fainting among teenage girls who receive Merck's human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil, the AP/International Herald Tribune reports (Stobbe, AP/International Herald Tribune, 1/3).
December 26, 2007
FDA To Require Vaginal Contraceptive Products Containing Spermicide Nonoxynol-9 To Carry Warning That Products Do Not Protect Against STIs
Public Release Date: 20-December-2007
FDA on Dec. 19 issued a final rule that will require over-the-counter vaginal contraceptive products containing the spermicide nonoxynol-9 to include warning statements and other labeling information to clarify that the products do not prevent sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, Reuters reports.
December 19, 2007
FDA Issues Letter That Could Delay Approval of GSK's HPV Vaccine Cervarix, Company Says
Public Release Date: 18-December-2007
GlaxoSmithKline on Monday announced that it has received a "complete response letter" from FDA for its human papillomavirus vaccine Cervarix, the Wall Street Journal reports (Berton, Wall Street Journal, 12/18). Such a letter is issued when FDA has completed the review of a product but still has questions, according to Reuters. Some analysts said that the setback would delay approval for the vaccine by at least a few months and possibly more than one year (Hirschler/Potter, Reuters, 12/17).
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).
December 05, 2007
Hepatitis B Vaccination Exonerated as MS Risk
Public Release Date: 3-December-2007
PARIS -- There's more evidence that childhood immunization against hepatitis B virus infection does not increase the risk of multiple sclerosis, found a case-control study here.
Continue reading "Hepatitis B Vaccination Exonerated as MS Risk "
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 26, 2007
Internet Remedies for STIs Pose Significant Public Health Hazard
Public Release Date: 19-November-2007
People with sexually transmitted infections are putting themselves at risk by buying treatments over the internet, according to new research by the University of East Anglia.
Less than a quarter of internet vendors gave information on potential side effects of their treatments. They also failed to say if their products would interfere with any prescription medicines that patients might be on, or if there might be harm to patients who were breastfeeding or pregnant. Equally, less than a quarter of vendors provided advice on how to avoid transmission and becoming re-infected.
Continue reading "Internet Remedies for STIs Pose Significant Public Health Hazard"
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 07, 2007
FDA Approves Bristol-Myers Squibb Late-Stage Breast Cancer Drug Ixempra
Public Release Date: 18-October-2007
An FDA spokesperson on Tuesday said the agency approved Bristol-Myers Squibb's chemotherapy drug Ixempra for use as a breast cancer treatment for women who have not responded to other treatments, as well as for use in combination with Roche's chemotherapy drug Xeloda as late-stage breast cancer treatment, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Continue reading "FDA Approves Bristol-Myers Squibb Late-Stage Breast Cancer Drug Ixempra "
October 24, 2007
FDA Okays Evista for Breast Cancer Prevention in High-Risk Women
Public Release Date: 17-September-2007
ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The FDA has approved the osteoporosis drug raloxifene (Evista) for prevention of invasive breast cancer in high-risk or osteoporotic postmenopausal women.
That makes raloxifene, a selective estrogen receptor modulator, the second drug approved to reduce the risk of breast cancer. The other, tamoxifen, is in the same class.
Continue reading "FDA Okays Evista for Breast Cancer Prevention in High-Risk Women"
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 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).
July 23, 2007
Wyeth Raises Forecast as Profit Jumps
Public Release Date: 20-July-2007
Wyeth’s earnings jumped 13 percent in the second quarter on higher sales of the arthritis drug Enbrel and the pneumonia vaccine Prevnar, prompting the company to raise its 2007 forecast.
Net income increased to $1.2 billion, or 87 cents a share, from $1.06 billion, or 78 cents a share, a year earlier, the drug maker, based in Madison, N.J., said yesterday. Earnings excluding some items were 90 cents.
(Courtesy of the New York Times. Click Here to continue article.)
June 21, 2007
Hepatitis Drug May Generate HIV Resistance
Public Release Date: 20-June-2007
BALTIMORE, June 20 -- When treating hepatitis B and HIV co-infection, physicians should use caution with the antiviral drug entecavir (Baraclude), researchers here said.
Unless a patient is already on a fully suppressive anti-HIV regimen, treating with entecavir runs the risk of generating HIV resistance to reverse transcriptase inhibitors, according to Chloe Thio, M.D., of Johns Hopkins, and colleagues.
Continue reading "Hepatitis Drug May Generate HIV Resistance"
June 14, 2007
Mapping Our Rights
SisterSong, Ipas, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force have created a brilliant interactive Flash map.
Click here to see your state's reproductive policies!
Opinion Pieces Respond to FDA's Approval of Wyeth's Oral Contraceptive Lybrel
Public Release Date: 8-June-2007
Several newspapers recently published opinion pieces on FDA's approval of Wyeth's oral contraceptive Lybrel, which is designed to eliminate monthly menstrual periods. Lybrel contains a lower dose of synthetic hormones in a daily dose than traditional oral contraceptives and is taken 365 days a year with no placebo pills. The usual regimen for oral contraceptives is 21 active pills taken consecutively, followed by seven placebo pills.
Continue reading "Opinion Pieces Respond to FDA's Approval of Wyeth's Oral Contraceptive Lybrel"
June 12, 2007
First and Only Chewable Birth Control Pill Now Available
Public Release Date: 7-December-2006
New Spearmint-Flavored Femcon(TM) Fe Offers Convenient New Option for More Than 11 Million Women Using Oral Contraceptives
ROCKAWAY, N.J -- Warner Chilcott (Nasdaq: WCRX) announced today the availability of the first birth control pill that offers women the option of chewing their daily tablet, called Femcon(TM) Fe.
Continue reading "First and Only Chewable Birth Control Pill Now Available"
June 01, 2007
HPV Vaccine Also Guards Against Vulval and Vaginal Cancer
Public Release Date: 17-May-2007
HELSINKI, Finland, May 17 -- The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil, developed to prevent cervical cancer, also appears to block pre-cancerous vulval and vaginal lesions, researchers said.
Young women given the vaccine had 71% fewer high-grade vulval and vaginal lesions associated with HPV types 16 and 18 than those not vaccinated, regardless of exposure, reported Jorma Paavonen, M.D., of University Central Hospital here, and colleagues in the May 19 issue of The Lancet.
Continue reading "HPV Vaccine Also Guards Against Vulval and Vaginal Cancer"