Did you know that after a 10-year absence, the Today Sponge contraceptive has been cleared to return to the U.S. market? American Home Products (now Wyeth), former maker of the sponge, stopped production in March 1994, due to “manufacturing” problems. The safety and effectiveness of the sponge was never in question, but upgrades were needed to the equipment, plant, chemistry, and procedures, and at the time, American Home Products decided not to pursue it. Allendale Pharmaceuticals bought the rights to the sponge at the end of 1998 and is currently working to build inventory for the U.S. market and plans to start shipping to stores in the next few months. “We’re very, very pleased to bring it back to women in the U.S.,” says Bob Staab, PhD, chairman and chief scientific officer for the New Jersey-based Allendale Pharmaceuticals. The sponge is 89%-91% effective against pregnancy, but does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases.

SOURCES: : Susan Cruzan, FDA spokeswoman. Bob Staab, PhD, chairman and chief scientific officer, Allendale Pharmaceuticals. FDA Talk Paper, “Today Sponge,” Jan. 12, 1995. Associated Press.