What You Should Know About Generic Birth Control Pills
10 May 2008
A 22 year old student at the University of Toronto says, "I’ve been on birth control pills (BCPs) for several years and have a tight budget. My pharmacist says that a new generic BCP, "Avaine", is available. Are these generic pills safe?" Another reader, who wants to be a grandmother rather than a mother, questions whether generic BCPs offer the same protection against pregnancy". These are good questions. Everyone wants to be sure they’re getting the same protection and value for their dollar.
Pharmaceutical companies, producing brand name products, have had patent protection from generic drugs, for several years. This allows them to recoup the millions of dollars they’ve spent on research to develop a drug. But, as you would suspect, when patent protection ends they don’t roll out the red carpet for less costly generic drugs when whey become available.
Generic BCPs, such as Aviane, have the same government approval as brand-name versions. The generic pill may have a different colour, but has the same ingredients and dosage levels. So don’t lose sleep worrying about pregnancy whether you’re a student or grandmother, if your doctor or pharmacist recommends one. And cost savings can vary from 25 to 45 percent.
Birth control pills have been available for nearly 60 years. Initially many were concerned about the long-term effects of the pill, but they’ve stood the test of time. If everything in life was as safe at "the pill" it would be a wonderful world.
One question was whether the pill would cause cancer. But history has shown the opposite is true. Women on the pill have 50 percent less chance of developing uterine malignancy. This protective effect occurs after one year of use and continues for at least five years after giving up the pill.
In the case of ovarian cancer the pill decreases the risk of malignancy by 40 percent. This protective effect occurs after six months of use and lasts 10 to 15 years after discontinuing the pill. It’s a huge advantage since ovarian malignancy is extremely difficult to diagnose at an early stage.
There’s also good news for those who questioned whether the pill would cause breast cancer. A few studies have showed a slight increase. But a huge international study involving 53,297 women on BCPs failed to show any increased risk of this disease.
Other advantages of BCPs never hit the headlines. Women with lumpy breasts due to fibrocystic disease often worry the pill will increase this problem. But those who take the pills for two years have a 65 percent reduction of this condition.
The risk of pelvic surgery is also less. In recent years more women are developing tubal pregnancies due to an increase in pelvic inflammatory disease which injures fallopian tubes. Since the pill reduces the chance of this infection there’s less risk of surgery. And there are fewer operations for endometriosis (internal bleeding at the time of the period).
If I were a woman I’d like this benefit. BCPs decrease menstrual pain and also result in a 50 percent decrease in heavy, irregular and prolonged menstrual bleeding. It’s a big benefit to women who have to cope with demanding routines.
For women approaching menopause BCPs can control irregular bleeding that often occurs at this time. But if this happens it’s mandatory that women report this bleeding to their doctors to rule out serious disease.
Dr. Tom Clarkson, a researcher at Bowman-Gray University in South Carolina, says the pill protects against atherosclerosis, a hardening of arteries. Other studies indicate that the pill increases bone density and helps to reduce the risk of arthritis.
Add all this up and BCPs have added a new dimension to the lives of women, greater freedom and protection from disease. And there’s no need for concern about the new generic Aviane BCP. This is what capitalism is all about and what has made North America great. Competition provides consumers with TV screens, I pods and now birth control pills at a cheaper price. So whether you’re a struggling student, or soon to be a grandmother, it’s all good news.
