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CONDOMS WITH SPERMICIDE INCREASE RISK OF INFECTIONS
According to recent studies published by the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS, the World Health Organization (WHO),and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Condoms with the spermicide N-9 not only FAIL TO PREVENT THE TRANSMISSION OF HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases, but can ACTUALLY PROMOTE THEM in certain circumstances.
The major condom manufacturers have known about the dangers of N-9 for over three years. It is time they take action.
While regular condom usage, practiced in the correct manner, is quite effective against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, condoms with the spermicide N-9 can be harmful and should be avoided. Condoms which do not contain N-9 are always recommended as part of safe sex practices.
Condoms with the N-9 spermicide are made by Trojan, Durex and Lifestyles. Trojan condoms, #1 in the U.S., are made by Armkell LLC, owned by Church & Dwight, the makers of ARM & HAMMER household products. Durex, #1 in the world, is owned by SSL International Plc, an international health products company based in the United Kingdom. Lifestyles, #3 in the US is produced by Australia's Ansell Limited.
We ask manufacturers of Trojan, Durex, and Lifestyles condoms to voluntarily cease production of condoms with N-9 spermicide immediately. Warning labels currently being considered by the FDA do not adequately address the risk of inadvertent exposure to N-9.
We ask the FDA to require all condom manufacturers to cease production of N-9 condoms.
We ask retailers to voluntarily stop selling condoms with N-9 spermicide.
For more information:
The Wall Street Journal
http://ww2.aegis.com/news/wsj/...
The Los Angeles Times
http://www.latimes.com/news/lo...
The Global Campaign for Microbicides
http://www.global-campaign.org...
IMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT HIV/AIDS:
Every 5 minutes a young person aged 15 to 24 is infected with HIV.
Worldwide, more than 80 percent of all adult HIV infections have resulted from heterosexual intercourse.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimate that 800,000 to 900,000 U.S. residents are living with HIV infection, one-third of whom are unaware of their infection.
In the US, approximately 40,000 new HIV infections occur each year. Men account for 70%, women account for 30%.
Of these newly infected people, half are younger than 25 years of age.
Condoms with N-9 account for 40% of the $295 MILLION of the US condom market and a significant portion of the World's $4 BILLION condom market. We ask the manufacturers of condoms with N-9: Is the money you make worth the lives you risk?
In the meantime, keep yourself safe. Use condoms, but do not use condoms with N-9.
In addition, apply pressure so that we don't wait another 3 years for action to be taken. Write/Call your Congressman as well. E-mail and postal addresses can be found at: http://mygov.governmentguide.c...
SIGN THE PETITION ALREADY SIGNED BY MORE THAN 30 HIV, WOMEN’S HEALTH, AND CONSUMER PROTECTION GROUPS:
We, the undersigned, urge the Federal Food and Drug Administration to require manufacturers to cease production of condoms and lubricants containing the spermicide Nonoxynol-9. We call on manufacturers to voluntarily stop producing condoms and lubricants containing the additive Nonoxynol-9 and ask retailers to stop selling these products to protect the public health and reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS. Evidence now shows that the addition of Nonoxynol-9 to condoms and lubricants increases users’ risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and urinary tract infections (UTIs) and provides no benefit.
Until recently, N-9 was believed to be an effective chemical barrier against HIV and a variety of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Recent studies published by the Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS), the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and numerous peer-reviewed medical journals have concluded that N-9 not only does not help prevent STIs, in some circumstances it actually increases the risk of contracting HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. One study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that women who use N-9 condoms are approximately 3 times more likely to contract a UTI than women who use regular condoms.
There are no data to support that condoms with N-9 additive are any more effective as a contraceptive than condoms alone. The WHO has concluded that condoms packaged with N-9 additives offer no more protection against pregnancy or infections than plain silicon lubricated condoms, and stated, "Since adverse effects due to the addition of N-9 to condoms cannot be excluded, such condoms should no longer be promoted."
We are not calling for the removal of over-the-counter vaginal spermicides with Nonoxynol-9 at this time. Over-the-counter spermicides remain an important contraceptive option for women who have a low risk of HIV infection and who choose not to use hormone-based contraceptive methods or for whom such methods are medically contraindicated. Over-the-counter spermicides containing Nonoxynol-9 should remain available with appropriate labeling concerning the increased risk of HIV infection.
We affirm the proven effectiveness of condoms without the additive N-9. Epidemiological studies comparing infection rates among condom users and nonusers have shown definitively that correct and consistent use of latex condoms can prevent the spread of HIV and a variety of other STIs. This protective effect stems from the use of condoms as a physical barrier and has nothing to do with the type of lubrication. However, until condoms with N-9 additive are removed from the market, consumers should understand that a condom lubricated with N-9 is clearly better than using no condom at all.
Finally, we look forward to the FDA approval of a safe, effective microbicide as soon as all necessary review and testing can be completed. We are confident that such a product can be developed, but N-9 is not that product.
Recipients of Petition
Dr. Mark B. McClellan
Commissioner of Food and Drugs
Department of Health and Human Services
Food and Drug Administration
5600 Fishers Lane
Rockville, MD 20857
301-827-2410 (phone)
301-443-3100 (fax)
Ansell Healthcare – Americas (Lifestyles Condoms)
200 Schulz Drive
Red Bank, NJ 07701
1-732-345-5400 (phone)
SSL International (Durex Condoms)
Regent Medical – Americas
3585 Engineering Drive
Suite 200
Norcross, GA 30092
1-800-843-8497 (phone)
1-770-582-2231 (fax)
Armkel, LLC (Trojan Condoms)
Affiliate of Church & Dwight Co. (Arm & Hammer products)
469 North Harrison Street
Princeton, NJ 08543
1-609-683-5900 (phone)
National Association of Chain Drug Stores
413 North Lee Street
P.O. Box 1417-D49
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1480
(703)549-3001 (phone)
(703)836-4869 (fax) |
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I'm an ordinary citizen.
I teach at a public high school, at a local college and for local city programs. I am also an Artist. I try and treat all people fairly and honestly -- and I expect others to treat me in the same manner. While I can't change the world, with help from people just like myself, I certainly can try.
It seems the government and the condom manufacturers have known about the problem with N-9 for three years. It's really time people took action about this. |
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