DMPA – Injectable Contraceptives
Pfizer’s quarterly injections (Depo-Provera / DMPA) have sixty years of controversy and scandal behind. And yet they are widely distributed in developing countries, with the blessing of the World Health Organisation. Moreover, the industry seems to be interested also in industrialized countries, where its marketing of these drugs especially targets adolescents.
Articles:
The four-part investigation “Depo-Provera: le prochain scandale médical est en marche” (Depo-Provera: the next medical scandal is underway), published in 2015, is available on Sept.info (in French, paywalled). By Catherine Riva.
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1st part
Marketed under the name of Depo-Provera, the quarterly contraceptive injections of medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) are widely distributed in developing countries. As if their controversial background had never existed.
(Available here)
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2nd part
Thirty years ago, contraceptive injections were banned in the United States. Today, the controversies and unsavory episodes of that time seem forgotten. The second part of this investigation reveals how their manufacturer was able to turn the situation around.
(Available here)
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3rd part
Progestin-based injectable contraceptives are widely distributed in developing countries. As if controversies were resolved. In reality, these drugs’ risks are being overlooked. The third part of this investigation focuses on the questionable role the WHO plays in the case.
(Available here)
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4rd part
Depo-Provera contraceptive injections have long concerned only developing countries and people with disabilities. However, everything indicates that the ultimate target market may well be wealthy countries. Public health authorities, medical professionals and the industry are trying to make women forget why this contraceptive had been avoided for more than 30 years. Code name of their recipe: “LARC” – Long-Acting Reversible Contraception.
(Available here)
