FDA DISPUTES MEDIA REPORTS ON NEWER CONTRACEPTIVES

FDA officials are advising pharmacistsand patients to disregard recent news storiesthat they say "have created misperceptionsabout the effectiveness of newergenerationhormonal contraceptives."

According to the FDA, "the stories inaccuratelyreport that the products are significantlyless effective at preventing pregnancythan those approved decades ago."In truth, agency officials said, the newer-generationproducts are "highly effective."

The stories mistakenly suggested thatthe agency called a meeting to discuss theneed for higher standards of efficacy forthe newer products.

In reality, FDA officials said, the purposeof the meeting was "to discuss clinical trialdesigns that reflect the diversity of usersof hormonal contraceptives, expectationsfor efficacy and safety, and user acceptabilityof the newer-generation products,including cycle control."