LOCAL NEWS

PCAC Protests Depo-provera

By Linda Jane

On March 15, the Cleveland Pro-Choice Action Committee held a meeting at Case Western Reserve University to discuss the health hazards of the controversial drug Depo-provera and actions against its manufacturer, the Upjohn Company. Speakers at the meeting were Dr. Dina Magoulias of the PCAC, Linda Carter, Provera "victim," and Catherine McClary of the National Women's Health Network, of which PCAC is a member,

Depo-provera has been a bone of contention for feminists and health activists for many years. It is Upjohn's trademark for medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), a synthetic hormone which prevents ovulation. Since its development in 1958, the FDA has twice rejected it for contraceptive use because of its suspected link to breast and cervical cancer. Undaunted, Upjohn called for a new review this past January by the FDA's Board of Inquiry. The Board's findings will go to the FDA Commissioner. His approval could set a serious precedent for lowering drug safety standards in this country. Also, once a harmful drug is approved, it is almost impossible to get it off the market.

Even without the FDA's stamp of approval, however, Depo-provera is currently being used on many unsuspecting women. Upjohn supplies Depo to

more than 80 third-world and European countries. In the United States, an estimated 10,000 women have been given the drug and its non-injectable version, Provera, over the past ten years-often without their knowledge of possible side effects.

How can a non-approved drug be so widely used? As Magoulias explained, Depo-provera is currently approved for use in this country only for treating advanced forms of renal and uterine cancer. Provera is approved for treating certain menstrual irregularities and amenorrhea (lack of periods). However, doctors are not monitored to ensure they stay within its prescribed uses. In Cleveland, for example, the drug is being prescribed for non-approved uses at Metro General, University Hospitals, Kaiser and most likely · at other local facilities.

The "depo" in Depo-provera merely means it is injected intramuscularly in large doses so that it is released slowly into the bloodstream. One shot is sufficient to prevent conception for up to three months; thus, it is considered an "ideal" method of birth control for the poor and mentally retarded-those who are among the most vulnerable in our society. The pill form, used to treat menstrual disorders, is taken a few days each month. Both are associated with side effects similar to other oral contraceptives, including blood clots, high blood pressure, irregular bleeding, excessive weight gain, depression, birth defects, hair

loss, dizziness, and longterm infertility. However, because Depo-provera is given in such large doses and remains in the body much longer, Magoulias explained, its potentially harmful effects are that much greater.

Linda Carter, a local college student, described her experiences with Provera. Prescribed by her doctor at University Hospital for menstrual irregularity, the drug gave her headaches, nausea, fatigue, and dizziness. She discontinued the pills after two months but continued to suffer side effects for the next three months. In addition, whereas previously she had irregular periods, after using Provera she stopped menstruating altogether. Her doctor, she said, never mentioned any possible side effects.

Catherine McClary of the National Women's Health Network discussed what they are doing to combat Upjohn. In 1979, the Network established a national registry for women to report their experiences with Depo-provera and Provera. To date, they have 200 case histories on file and are conducting a nation-wide search for more. Last January they filed a class action suit against Upjohn, charging negligence for failing to advise physicians and consumers of health risks. The suit requests that Upjohn discontinue sales to family planning clinics, university health centers, and county and city adolescent and adult health and mental health facilities. In addition, they are requesting that Upjohn send doctors letters warning them that Depo-provera has not been approved for contraceptive use and provide better patient package inserts to ensure that women are fully informed of the drug's health risks. If you are interested in participating in this suit, you can contact them at 224 Seventh St., SE, Washington, D.C. 20003.

Second Annual Gay/Lesbian Conference

By Dianne Fishman

The Second Annual Gay & Lesbian Conference was held March 18-20 at Case Western Reserve University. It included workshops on such topics as anti-gay violence, women's issues, legal rights, and health, as well as keynote speeches by Virginia Apuzzo of the National Gay Task Force and syndicated columnist Larry Bush.

I was immediately struck by the absence of women at the conference. I understand many of the reasons. Each of us tries to find a niche where we hope to find support for our emotional and time investments. Lesbians need to decide their own interests, time schedules, and financial contributions. Some lesbians openly support such feminist issues as birth control and abortion rights, while others seem to gravitate toward sports. Others are not (yet) active in any groups, but are closeted and have consciously decided not to venture the risk. Generally, there are only a handful of lesbians who choose to get involved with gay and lesbian anything: rights, image (both to the media and the public at large), legal issues, political clout, health issues, etc.

As echoed throughout the conference, getting involved with our gay brothers to work for gay issues is important. Ginny Apuzzo, speaking on "What Comes After Gay Pride,” stressed that it is time to become active as gay women and men or, as she called it, to begin the "war of attrition of ignorance,” "Before gay pride," she said, "there was gay rage, where coming out was not for ourselves alone but showed courage to each other." Gay peopie had finally felt that “intolerance is intolerable."

With gay pride, however, comes the danger of what she referred to as “gay smug”—the tendency to

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become too satisfied, too apathetic. She emphasized that there must be unity in our message, adding that although there are reasons to disagree, we must remember that we are not the enemy. Women are primarily oppressed as women, but many of us are multiply oppressed.

The movement has not used the power it has to fight all oppression. We tend to address only immediate concerns. Various workshops addressed ways in which we can assert our power, including eliciting the support of leaders in the areas of politics, religion, labor, civic affairs, education, etc. to conduct voter registration and endorsement drives. Joan Rourke, in her workshop, went into great detail on strategies to deal with our legislatures, based on NOW's experience in the ERA campaign.

Larry Bush in his speech stated that since the media determines gays' visibility, we should assert

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ourselves as to what events we feel should be covered and demand that they address the issues of police attitudes and gay and lesbian crime coverage. We should also provide names of organizations and their representatives to act as spokespersons for gay issues and events. Be watchdogs, he advised, and let the media know how harmful it is to sensationalize every story that deals with homosexuality.

The message of unity was re-emphasized throughout the conference. "We are working toward progress," commented Alan Roth of the All Peoples' Congress, "while the Moral Majority creates scapegoats. That's our advantage over them. We're building alliances. Gays work on issues that support others."

The National Gay Task Force has established a toll-free "Crisisline" to report anti-gay violence and to obtain A.I.D.S. referrals. Call 800-221-7044.

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