Contraceptive Sponge Makes Comeback

Birth control users will again have the alternative of purchasing the Today Sponge over the counter. The sponge is now available in Canada. Allendale Pharmaceuticals bought the Today Sponge rights from Whitehall Laboratories (now Wyeth), which took it off the market in 1995 due to manufacturing difficulties.

An FDA "talk paper" points out that it was only the manufacturing conditions?not the sponge?s safety and effectiveness?that were objectionable. Allendale expects FDA approval within a year.