Allergan and Medicines360 donate birth control devices to CDC Foundation

Allergan plc and Medicines360 today announced the donation of birth control devices and medications to the CDC Foundation. 

The 10,000 hormonal intrauterine devices (IUD) LILETTA and 40,000 one-month packs of oral contraceptives will help prevent accidental pregnancies in Puerto Rico. The donation is in response to the zika virus, which can cause a severe birth defect called microcephaly.

"There is a clear and immediate need for effective, contraceptive options in Puerto Rico and communities throughout the world to give women the option to reduce the risk of unintended pregnancies while the risk of the zika virus is high," Allergan Chief Medical Officer Gavin Corcoran said. "Women in Puerto Rico urgently need contraceptives to help prevent unplanned pregnancies and postpone pregnancies and the donation of LILETTA and oral contraceptives is intended to meet these women's needs."

The outbreak of zika has caused extreme concern, due to the link between the virus and microcephaly. An estimated 20 percent of the population in Puerto Rico may be infected by the virus by the end of the year, including approximately 138,000 women who could become pregnant. Providing effective forms of birth control is one method of preventing birth defects caused by zika infection during pregnancy.

"Medicines360's mission is to expand access to quality medicines for all women regardless of their socioeconomic status, insurance coverage or geographic location," Medicines360 CEO Dr. Jessica Grossman said. "We wanted to do our part to respond to this emergency now. Our donation helps these communities have access to safe and effective IUDs. Most importantly, LILETTA offers a long-term sustainable solution for public health clinics to continue to access a hormonal IUD at a $50 price after the crisis."