PRESS STATEMENT
5 December 2017
Statement of the Commission on Human Rights on FDA registration of contraceptive products and full implementation of Reproductive Health Law
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) joins Reproductive Health (RH) advocates in welcoming the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) for its complete technical and reevaluation process of 51 contraceptive products gearing RH Law’s full implementation.
The certification adheres to the country’s obligation to uphold women’s human rights as mandated by the Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and raised during the Universal Periodic Review. CHR hopes that this will be the start to fully realize women’s right to the universal access for a full range of safe and reliable family planning method.
The recertification of these contraceptive products as non-abortifacient allows access for women to their own choice of contraceptive. During the RH Inquiry conducted by CHR, it shows that contraceptive implants or Implanon is the top choice among poor and marginalized women. Even health care providers clamor for Implanon and Implanon NXT.
After a long struggle of passing RH Law and sustaining the challenges it has faced, CHR commends FDA for complying with the Supreme Court’s directive and coming out with the results that Implanon and Implanon NXT, together with other contraceptives, are not abortifacient.
CHR further recommends the lifting of the Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) on Implanon considering the clamor of marginalized women, and the CSOs’ unloading of Implanon supplies which are now about to expire. CHR also asks the SC to reconsider the TRO on Implanon vis-à-vis the State’s Commitment under CEDAW, particularly women’s right to access reproductive health.
With these recommendations, CHR looks forward to seeing women gain access to their choices of reproductive health products and services.
CHR also extends its gratitude to various groups and individuals who made the recertification process participative and transparent.
CHR remains vigilant, however, because there is a possibility that the certification will be challenged, and once again Filipino women will be deprived of access to their own choice of family planning method. CHR, together with women’s rights organizations, shall remain vigilant until RH Law has been fully implemented. ■
Contact Person:
Atty. Jacqueline Ann C. de Guia
Director, Public Affairs and Strategic Communication Office
Telephone No: (02) 928-5792 / 0917 591 9833
Email address: comms.chr@gmail.com