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Friday, March 29, 2024

Contraceptives recertified to prove they’re safe–FDA

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THE Food and Drug Administration is recertifying contraceptives to prove they are not abortifacients, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Ernesto Pernia said Thursday amid the temporary restraining order issued by the Supreme Court against the implementation of certain provisions under the Reproductive Health Law.

“There is going to be—well, what the FDA is… they are now certifying—re-certifying planning—family planning methods already certified before that they are non-abortifacient,” Pernia told a Palace news briefing. 

“As soon as they do that, they are going to hold a public hearing. And whatever comes out of that public hearing, if it’s still the voice of the minority, small minority opposing the RP/RH law, then they can appeal to the President, not to the Courts,” he added. 

Even if there would be continued opposition from some pro-life groups and even the Church, Pernia said these would not likely prosper, as the administration remains firm on implementing the Reproductive Health  law so as not to hurt the country’s growth prospects. 

In the May 26 TRO issued by the high court, any appeal after the FDA’s final decision should be sent to the Office of the President.

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“They can appeal to the President and I’m very sure that President Duterte will not uphold them, will not favor their views. Because he has issued executive order number 12 which he wants—which means implementing fully the law,” Pernia said. 

Duterte last January issued Executive Order No. 12, aimed at ensuring the government must meet the needs of Filipino families for appropriate family planning support. 

Pernia earlier said the signing of the EO would allow women of reproductive age to achieve their desired family size and number of children rather than having more children than they want or they can afford and provide for adequately.

He likewise stressed that funds would be continually provided to “make effective and modern family planning methods accessible to the poor—because they are going to be distributed free.”

The Supreme Court last May 26 did not lift its temporary restraining order on contraceptives—at least until the FDA presented proof the contraceptives were safe.

In excerpts of a decision released on May 26, the court unanimously denied the omnibus motion for reconsideration on its Aug. 24, 2016 decision not to lift the TRO.

However, the court modified its 2016 decision and ordered the FDA “to consider the oppositions filed by the petitioners with respect to the listed drugs… and to decide the case within 60 days from the date it will be deemed submitted for resolution.”

“After compliance with due process and upon promulgation of the decision of the Food and Drug Administration, the [TRO] would be deemed lifted if the questioned drugs and devices are found not abortifacient,” the decision read.

The Supreme Court order, issued in 2015, prevents the FDA from granting and renewing certifications for contraceptives for women. 

It also prevents the DoH from distributing implants, a common method supported by government after the legislation of the Reproductive Health Law.

Certificates for contraceptives have been expiring since 2015, with the last expected to expire in 2020. 

According to a list by the Commission on Population, 14 contraceptives are expiring by the end of 2017, and another 14 by next year.

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