Washingtonpost.com Article
Tuesday, April 18, 2000; Page Z06
Sponge-worthy Again
When the Today Sponge went off the market five years ago, many devoted users were unhappy, none more so than the character Elaine on the television show "Seinfeld." In a memorable episode, she bought a big supply of the popular over-the-counter contraceptive and judged future lovers "sponge-worthy" before dipping into her precious hoard. Soon the Elaines of the world may be back in luck.
In late January, Allendale Pharmaceuticals Inc. of Allendale, N.J., applied to the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for approval to begin marketing an identical sponge, said company president Gene Detroyer. He predicted that if all goes well, the government go-ahead could come between "late spring and mid-summer." The company is awaiting government inspection of its new Pennsylvania manufacturing site.
FDA spokeswoman Susan Cruzan could not comment on the pending application, but she said that "FDA's goal for this type of application is as short as four months. Of course, that depends on all the inspections going well."
The Today Sponge was taken off the market voluntarily by its original maker, Whitehall-Robins Healthcare, after an FDA inspection found bacterial contamination of water and other problems at a New Jersey manufacturing plant. The FDA did not raise concerns about safety or effectiveness of the sponge itself. Allendale Pharmaceuticals bought the rights and manufacturing equipment in late 1998. Detroyer said his company's sponge was recently approved in Canada and the United Kingdom.
After its introduction in 1983, the disposable Today Sponge became the most popular over-the-counter female contraceptive method: It was available without a prescription, convenient, immediately usable and had few side effects. The one-size-fits-all soft foam sponge with a dimple in the middle contains the spermicide nonoxynol 9, so it blocks, absorbs and kills sperm to prevent pregnancy.
"The Today Sponge is good for 24 hours and multiple acts of intercourse, so you don't have to worry about spontaneity," said Detroyer.
The main drawback is that the pregnancy prevention rate varies from about 80 to 90 percent, depending on whether the product is used properly, said Susan Tew of the Alan Guttmacher Institute, a nonprofit research group. "It was popular as a backup method for some women and an ongoing method for others. . . . It's a great option to have available," said Tew. She estimates 6.4 million women tried the vaginal contraceptive sponge between 1983 and 1995.
Since the sponge provides limited protection against sexually transmitted diseases, such as the virus that causes AIDS, a condom should be added for safer sex.
Detroyer said that he already has orders from U.S. retailers; price is expected to be $2 to $2.50 per sponge. For updates on availability, visit the Web site www.todaysponge.com.
-Cristine Russell
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