Good news, Ladies: FDA flips TRO on 51 contraceptives

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) just gave Filipino women a better gift than any jewelry in the world — access to safe family planning methods.

The FDA approved all 51 contraceptives that were up for certification and recertification, according to the Population on Commission (PopCom).

Resolution 2017-302 dated November 10, 2017 shows that all 51 contraceptives, including Implanon and Implanon NXT, have been certified as non-abortifacients. This, in effect, lifted the 29-month temporary restraining order (TRO) of the Supreme Court (SC) in the case of Alliance for the Family Foundation Philippines Inc. against 2015 Health Secretary Janette Garin et. al.

PopCom Executive Director Juan Antonio Perez welcomed the FDA’s approval on the 51 contraceptives, saying that the decision “could not have come at a better time as depleted contraceptive supplies will now be augmented by over two hundred thousand implants.”

Every year, around one million women benefit from these modern family planning methods, he added.

Perez also urged everyone who is working for women’s health to celebrate this development as it enables the full implementation of the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law (RPRH).

The Department of Health (DoH) also welcomed the decision of the FDA. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that the DoH is committed to the full and strict implementation of the RH Law as ordered by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duque also added that the RH Law implementation “will be fair, even-handed, and not adversely affect our people’s health.”

via Manila Times / Kenneth Hare Hernandez