Re-evaluation of contraceptives ‘aboveboard and transparent’ — FDA

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that its re-evaluation of some 50 contraceptives, including two covered by a Supreme Court order for re-certification, is "aboveboard and transparent."

"Scientists who comprise the technical evaluation team of the FDA adhere to the highest professional standards and are committed to a transparent evaluation process," FDA Director General Nela Charade Puno said in a statement on Monday.

Puno said their process is "fully compliant with the standards set by the High Court" and takes into account evidence presented by groups in support of or opposition to the re-certification of the contraceptives.

She thanked these groups and said they “have ensured that the results of the certification and re-certification processes will have solid technical and scientific bases.”

The FDA began the process for the re-certification of contraceptive products considered legal, non-abortifacient and effective mid-August.

It said it may issue the certificate of product registrations "to be able to re-certify the first batch of contraceptives" by September 30 to the first week of October.

Puno said the agency's review of the 50 contraceptives is nearly finished.

“We will make sure that the results of the technical and scientific processes to evaluate and reevaluate these contraceptives will be made accessible to the public,” she said. — Rie Takumi/BM, GMA News