December 6, 2017

On November 10, 2017, Philippine Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that the technical review and reevaluation process of 51 contraceptives products covered by a resolution issued by the Supreme Court – the highest court and judiciary power in the Philippines, has been completed.

Earlier in 2015, the Supreme Court issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO), prohibiting FDA from issuing and renewing licenses for the distribution and sale of all family planning commodities including intrauterine devices (IUDs) and birth control pills. It also prevented the country’s Department of Health (DOH) from distributing implants, a common method supported by government after the legislation of Republic Act No. 10354 - Reproductive Health Law, which was enacted in December 2012 after a controversial and political power struggle.

After careful evaluation, the FDA issued FDA Advisory No. 2017-302 stating that the 51 contraceptive products have passed the strict requirements of the technical review and reevaluation process. FDA is now preparing for the recertification of these product attesting the safety and have been determined to be non- abortifacient.

For now, the FDA has no updates yet on the issuance and renewal of licenses of IUDs. The list of the contraceptive products released may be accessed by clicking on this link.