DOH, POPCOM, The Forum welcome FDA decision on contraceptives

The Commission on Population, the Department of Health (DOH), and non-government organization The Forum for Family Planning and Development (The Forum) welcomed the Food and Drug Administration's clearing 51 contraceptives as non-abortifacient.

Among the 51 products listed as non-abortifacient are subdermal implants Implanon and Implanon NXT, which were targeted by a temporary restraining order laid down in 2015 by the Supreme Court in response to a petition filed by pro-life group Alliance for the Family Foundation, Philippines, Inc.

“The FDA’s positive findings is a welcome development, especially for the millions of Filipinos calling for the lifting of the TRO against contraceptives and the full implementation of the RPRH (Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Law) law,” The Forum president Benjamin de Leon said.

POPCOM Executive Director Dr. Juan Perez III, in a statement, said, "This could  not  have  come at a better time as depleted contraceptive supplies will now be augmented by over two hundred thousand implants. Annually one million women become new acceptors of modern family planning methods."

November 13, POPCOM added, also marked the full effectivity of the Revised Implementing Rules and Regulation published 15 days ago.

"The lifting of the TRO will allow DOH to start procuring commodities from its 2017 budget. All Filipinos working for women’s health should rejoice in this development," Perez said.

Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III meanwhile said the government remains committed to the full implementation of the RPRH Law.

“We assure everyone that the full and strict implementation of the RH law which President Duterte ordered earlier this year will be fair, even handed and not adversely affect our people's health," Duque said.

The Supreme Court has yet to file a resolution regarding the FDA's findings. — Rie Takumi/BM, GMA News