Implanon, a one-rod, progestogen implant is now available for women seeking a long-term contraceptive.
The summary of product characteristics advises physicians who have little experience with subdermal insertion to acquire the correct technique under supervision of a more experienced colleague. Removal, it says, should also be performed by a physician who is familiar with the technique (see p550).
Mr Adrian Haigh, managing director of Organon Laboratories, the UK manufacturer, told The Journal on September 28 that the company was currently running a series of 21 training meetings for doctors. These included instruction on insertion and removal, and presentations on the product by doctors with experience of its use.
Mr Haigh emphasised that counselling women on the insertion process and side effects, prior to insertion, was vital. Women should be quite certain that Implanon was the right contraceptive for them. To assist the counselling process, the company was running a series of training sessions for family planning nurses, in parallel with those for doctors, he said.
An Implanon helpline for patients has been set up by Organon (0808 100 2719).