Sexual health providers and advocates around the country are celebrating expanded access to a critical addition in the HIV prevention toolkit: the female condom. The second generation female condom, or FC2, is now stocked at 400 Walgreens locations. The cost of a pack of three condoms ranges between $5.99 and $7.99, about a third of the cost of the original version of the female condom. Consumers can also purchase female condoms at Walgreens.com .
"Limited access to female condoms has long been a barrier to use. The Chicago Female Condom Campaign
commends Walgreens for making a business decision that will help women and men across the U.S. access the prevention tools they need to stay healthy," says Jessica Terlikowski, co-founder and chair of the Chicago Female Condom Campaign. "HIV prevention educators, advocates, and service providers are proud to have a private sector partner like Walgreens prioritize the public's health. We urge other commercial pharmacies to follow Walgreens commitment to reduce new HIV and STI infections and make the new female condom available in their stores."
Currently, there are 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States and 56,000 new infections occur each year.
"The female condom is one of the only forms of barrier contraception that allow women to be in control over their own sexual health, allowing them protection against unwanted pregnancies as well as HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)," says Carole Brite, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Illinois. "It is a vital tool in the fight against HIV/AIDS."
Increasing commercial availability of female condoms complements the existing and burgeoning efforts of community organizations and public health departments to increase access and use of this important prevention tool. Chicago, Houston, New York City, New York State, San Francisco, and Washington D.C. have implemented programs to equip service providers and front line prevention educators with the skills, language, and materials necessary to effectively promote female condoms within their communities.
"San Francisco's "Get Turned On To It" FC2 campaign educates the city on FC2 use within high risk communities that reflect San Francisco's local STD and HIV epidemics," says Jacqueline McCright Taylor, Community Based STD Services Manager."
"Accessibility to FC2 is crucial if we are to dramatically reduce sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies," says Susan Rokes and Nike Lukan, co-chairs of Houston's FC2 Project. "We are very pleased that thanks to Walgreens, the FC2 female condom is now available in Houston at affordable prices. Women and men now have a tool that empowers them to initiate protection."
"As a pharmacy focused on meeting our customers' health and daily living needs, we are pleased to offer greater access to a product that empowers women to take control of their own health and wellness," said Walgreens manager of specialized disease state programs Glen Pietrandoni. "Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic more than 25 years ago, Walgreens has served as a resource for education, prevention and treatment of this complex condition. We hope to help drive more awareness around the availability of FC2 as well as expand the services and support we offer in communities highly impacted by HIV."
In Washington, D.C., the FC2 has been commercially available for about a year, due to a partnership between the Washington, D.C. Department of Public Health and CVS Pharmacies. This will be the first time the FC2 becomes commercially available on a national scale, thanks to Walgreens.
"We were pleased and appreciative that CVS Pharmacy and Walgreens are committed to helping fight HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia by carrying female condoms," says Channing Wickham, Executive Director of the Washington AIDS Partnership which manages the Washington, DC Female Condom Initiative.
Learn more about female condoms and how to connect with efforts in Chicago, Houston, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C. by visiting these Facebook profiles and websites:
Chicago — ringonit.org, facebook.com/chifemalecondom
Houston- coming soon!
New York City - nyc.gov/condoms, facebook.com/NYCcondom
San Francisco - fc2sf.org, facebook.com/pages/FC2-San-Francisco/170243813018346
Washington D.C. - dcdoinit.com, facebook.com/pages/DCs-Doin-It-with-the-Female-Condom-
FC2/155914911093164