FDA Approved Spearmint-Flavour Chewable Contraceptive Pills Aimed at Young Girls

Lifesite.org ^ | Monday November 17, 2003

[nickcarraway]

WASHINGTON, November 17, 2003 (LifeSiteNews.com) - On Friday, the U.S. Federal Drug Administration (FDA) approved Ovcon 35, an oral, spearmint-flavoured contraceptive tablet that can be chewed and swallowed. Ovcon 35 contains a progestin (norethindrone) and an estrogen (ethinyl estradiol) found in products that are already marketed, and thus carries the same dangerous side-effects as other birth control pills including an increased risk of blood clots, heart attack, and stroke. Like other oral contraceptives Ovcon 35 is abortifacient when there is a 'breakthrough' ovulation.

The directions for use tell women that the pill may be swallowed whole or chewed and swallowed. If the pill is chewed and then swallowed, the woman should drink a full glass (8 ounces) of liquid immediately afterwards so that the full dose of medication reaches the stomach and no residue is left in the mouth. The product is manufactured by Bristol Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, N.J., and will be marketed by Warner Chilcott, Inc., Rockaway, N.J.

Gillian Long, the Youth Director of Campaign Life Coalition objected strenuously to the new drug since the new chewable versions are obviously aimed at youth the same way chewable multi-vitamins are geared to increase the likelihood of ingestion of vitamins by children. Long told LifeSiteNews.com, "This is shocking. We know that estrogen, the active ingredient in oral contraceptives, causes breast and cervical cancer, as well as blood clots, weight gain and a host of other side effects and complications. And here we are, marketing it to young girls and handing it out as though it were, literally, candy. It may prove to be the most dangerous candy ever."

See the FDA release on the pill:

http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/ANSWERS/2003/ANS01260.html

[weegee]

I'm not a doctor but I will say that mucking around with hormones of girls who are still in puberty doesn't seem scientifically sound. Let's see, the body is releasing hormones initiating all sorts of body changes that will carry the girl into adulthood and then someone gives her some other hormones (harvested or synthetic) to make the body conform as they want for a recreational act.

Teen sex is more about recreational sex than an expression of true love (how many girls marry those guys and stay with them) or a desire for procreation (the use of birth control is the giveaway that it is recreational).

Since these are minors we are talking about, they are not "consenting adults". In fact, there are laws in many states that outlaw sexual activity with persons under 18,17, or 16 (depending on the state) with some "permissive society" exceptions for "Romeo & Juliet" cases where one member is below the age of consent and the other is above the age of consent (I'll clue you in, it is still statutory rape for 2 persons under the age of consent to have sex; THEY CAN'T LEGALLY CONSENT). But then again, I'm not a lawyer either....

[weegee]

Give it to Scott Ritter. He can use it on his next trip to the Middle East.

[Paleo Conservative]

Why not Juicy Fruit?

[mewzilla]

Not to mention the BCP doesn't protect against STDs. But this'll probably be easier for girls to get in schools than an aspirin.

[cyborg]

Isn't this title misleading? They are not making it for young girls. It's a new form of the pill for women. Some women don't like pills, and don't like the shots. I don't see this being marketed towards girls esp. when condoms are readily available without a prescription.

The first thing that comes to mind is if someone keeps this in a drawer where a young kid can get to it... How does an ER handle accidental hormone pill ingestion? On that point, the article is right.

[taxcontrol]

OK ladies, this will be the next thing for guys. Instead of offering a smoke after sex it will be a stick of gum before.

[LittleJoe]

Teen sex is more about recreational sex than an expression of true love

Yes, and they will have their recreational sex with or without the pill.

I live in the real world and am awfully tired of my tax money being used to support the unwanted offspring of these teens.

I say give 'em the pill!

[gcruse]

I say you are bang on!!

[gcruse]

It's okay to have lying headlines if it's for a good cause, innit? Isn't that part of the glory of being convinced?

[ArGee]

FDA Approved Spearmint-Flavour Chewable Contraceptive Pills Aimed at Young Girls

I'd like to know what those pills are being fired at the young girls with. That's what I'd like to know. I don't care what they taste like, if they're being fired fast enough to actually hit the young girls you'd be a fool to catch 'em in your mouth and try to chew 'em.

Somebody's got a screw loose.

Shalom.

[ArGee]

Yes, and they will have their recreational sex with or without the pill.

Er, that'd be "without." These are kids. They don't take anything seriously and they won't take birth control seriously. Making this pill isn't about reducing unwanted pregnancies, it's about mainaining the notion that we're all a bunch of sexual animals who can't think when our glands kick in, a notion you're supporting in your post.

It is possible to raise teenagers that are not animals. It takes effort, but it can be done.

One good idea is to keep them away from T.V. until they understand your values. It is tough to keep teenagers from thinking about sex all the time when everyone is selling it to them to make a buck.

Shalom.

[republicofdavis]

"Isn't this title misleading? They are not making it for young girls. It's a new form of the pill for women."

I'm amazed at how many times I find myself asking this very same question here. No one ever seems to consider the source. No one said that it was being marketed to young girls but the first commenters all seemed to assume that was true.

A little critical thought people.

[Ragirl]

There are actually grown women who can't swallow a pill because of their gag reflex. Anyone ever thought of that? Birth control is being marketed in a lot of forms and it doesn't necessarily mean there is a conspiracy to market birth control to "young girls".
I teach my teenagers abstinence is the best policy, but for those who don't, using birth control is better than an abortion.

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

The news release that this is based on is titled "FDA Approves Ovcon 35 as the First Chewable Oral Contraceptive Tablet for Women"... There is nothing that says that it is for young girls.

How can you make a point when you can't even start with the truth?

[republicofdavis]

"I teach my teenagers abstinence is the best policy, but for those who don't, using birth control is better than an abortion."

Very wise

[republicofdavis]

"How can you make a point when you can't even start with the truth?"

I don't know, but that seems to be the drift more and more around here (see the Kennedy makes racist remark threads).

[cyborg]

I think he would have said it if they were white. If it was a republican that said it, then everyone would say it's racist. I suppose that's why all conservatives are saying it's a racist comment.

But this is about BC... as far marketing is concerned, the marketing of children's rebellion against parents is what's at stake. Actually, the root of the family is rotten to the core and parents and kids don't communicate.

[LittleJoe]

Er, that'd be "without." These are kids. They don't take anything seriously and they won't take birth control seriously. Making this pill isn't about reducing unwanted pregnancies, it's about mainaining the notion that we're all a bunch of sexual animals who can't think when our glands kick in, a notion you're supporting in your post.

ArGee, I am not supporting any such notion. The fact is that they are having sex and are giving birth to children they cannot support. I cannot change that. I do not have control over them.

It is possible to raise teenagers that are not animals. It takes effort, but it can be done.

I agree with you 100%. I managed to raise four to adulthood with no pregnancies or drug problems. All four are successful contributing members of society. Unfortunately, there are others who do not do this.

One good idea is to keep them away from T.V. until they understand your values. It is tough to keep teenagers from thinking about sex all the time when everyone is selling it to them to make a buck.

Good advice, but again, others refuse to do this. What we have is kids having kids they cannot support, and those of us who did a good job with our own are picking up the tab for those who haven't. The only control we have over this insane situation is to try to reduce the unwanted pregnancies. We can't stop them from having sex.

Peace