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September 26 marks World Contraception Day (WCD), which aims to improve awareness of all contraceptive methods available and enable young people to make informed choices.
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Dr Edit Kovalcsik, Managing Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “According to interviewed Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) there are two main problems with access to contraceptives in the US. Firstly, it is a financial problem for those without a medical insurance, and second, provider and patient knowledge about the current contraceptive options is still not sufficient.
“Education of both general providers and patients about contraceptive choices will likely increase the use of the long-acting reversible contraceptive methods, such as the hormonal IUDs, in the coming years. In particular, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends that physicians counsel patients about the long-acting reversible methods first.
“Increased knowledge about the long-acting formulations will mean more sales for contraceptives such as Allergan’s Liletta and better adaptation of the launching novel long-acting formulations, such as The Population Council and TherapeuticsMD’s extended-release vaginal ring, Annovera.”
Contraceptives in late stages of clinical development, which are likely to launch within ten years, will provide women with options that could reduce side effects, another problem that causes many women to discontinue treatment. These include The Population Council and Antares Pharma’s transdermal gel, NestraGel; Mithra’s combined oral contraceptive, Estelle; and Evofem’s non-hormonal vaginal gel, Amphora.
Dr Kovalcsik concludes: “In order to optimize uptake of the launching new contraceptives however, raising awareness about the new contraceptive options and educating providers and women about the benefits of the new products will be essential.”