Reproductive Health Updates

Just in from Kaiser:

The U.N. Population Fund on Thursday announced it would provide $28 million for Vietnam's 2006-2010 Country Program Action Plan with the aim of accelerating reproductive health services and population development in the country, the Vietnam News Brief Service reports. The plan focuses on improving gender equality, strengthening child and maternal health care, and giving priority to the disadvantaged, including people living with HIV/AIDS, low-income people, women and children, and those living in remote areas. The program seeks to build the capacity of several ministries and seven provinces in the country.

The Washington state Board of Pharmacy on Thursday voted 5-0 to approve a rule that would allow pharmacists who oppose emergency contraception to refuse to fill prescriptions for the medication, the AP/Seattle Times reports. Pharmacists cannot "obstruct a patient in obtaining a lawfully prescribed drug or device," and they must make an alternative available in a timely fashion if they "cannot dispense" a prescription, according to the rule. The rule, which faces public comment before taking effect, can be altered before the board considers it for final approval, which is expected in August, according to the AP/Times.

The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles has approved the application of the Indiana Association of Pregnancy Centers, which opposes abortion rights, for "Choose Life" license plates, the Louisville Courier-Journal reports.

Merck's experimental human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil, which an FDA advisory committee last month voted is safe and effective for girls and women ages nine to 26, also prevents against vaginal and vulvar cancers, two other gynecological cancers that also are linked to HPV, according to a study presented on Sunday in Atlanta at a meeting of the American Society of Clinical Oncology, the AP/Houston Chronicle reports. About 80% of people with vaginal and vulvar cancer also test positive for HPV, USA Today reports.