SC stops DOH contraceptive implants

The Supreme Court of the Philippines building in Manila, Philippines. Photo by Mike Gonzalez / Wikimedia Commons.

MANILA — The Supreme Court recently issued a resolution stopping the government from “procuring, selling, distributing, dispensing and administering, advertising and promoting” contraceptive implants.

This is while the court’s final ruling on an appeal to permanently ban the said products is still pending.

The implants which are made up of thin rods inserted into the skin have been petitioned to be banned in the country for its alleged “abortifacient” side effects.

The said implants are responsible for releasing hormones that will prevent pregnancy for up to three years.

The Supreme Court Second Division granted in a resolution issued on June 17, the petition for the issuance of a temporary restraining order (TRO).

The petition was filed by the Alliance for the Family Foundation of the Philippines Inc. (Alfi) and seeks to bar the Department of Health (DOH) from acquiring and distributing contraceptive products Implanon and Implanon NXT to the public.

Second Division chair and Associate Justice Antonio Carpio said that the TRO was “effective immediately and continuing until further order of this court.”