2009 Marks 40 Years of Choice and Sexual Empowerment for Women in Canada

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jun 30 (MARKET WIRE) --
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release.

Few developments have impacted choice for Canadian women as impressively
as the government's legalization of all forms of contraception for birth
control use in June 1969.(i) Prior to this, use of contraception for
birth control was illegal and could only be prescribed by physicians to
women who needed help regulating their menstrual cycle.(ii)

Legalization gave Canadian women the right to prevent pregnancy, but it
was also an important stepping stone for other freedoms for women,
including equality in education and jobs.

What's exciting about this ruby anniversary is how legalization paved the
way for important contraceptive innovations, giving today's women even
more choice and empowerment. Four decades later, women enjoy access to a
variety of safe and effective choices, including:

- Daily options, like the pill - The pill (also known as an oral
contraceptive or OC) like other contraceptives that contain both an
estrogen and a progestin, is called a combination hormonal contraceptive
(CHC). The pill is administered once-daily and must be taken at
approximately the same time each day.

- Weekly options, like the patch - The patch, like other contraceptives
that contain both an estrogen and a progestin, is called a combination
hormonal contraceptive (CHC). The patch slowly releases hormones through
your skin over a period of seven days and is administered once-weekly.

- Monthly options, like the contraceptive ring - The contraceptive ring,
or NuvaRing(R), is a slow release, soft, flexible, clear plastic ring
measuring 54 millimetres in diameter (approximately 2 inches). The
contraceptive ring, like other contraceptives that contain both an
estrogen and a progestin, is called a combination hormonal contraceptive
(CHC) and is a once-a-month regimen.

- Quarterly options, like the injectable contraception - The injectable
contraceptive (or "the shot") is an injection that is given in the arm or
buttocks 4 times per year. It contains only one hormone (a progestin) and
does not contain estrogen.

- Multi-yearly options, like the hormonal IUD - The hormonal intrauterine
device or IUD is a T-shaped device that contains a 5-year dose of the
progestin, levonogestrel, which is released slowly over time and acts on
the lining of the uterus.

The year 2009 is a milestone for contraception in Canada as it represents
40 years of legal access to contraception. Today there are many choices
of hormonal contraceptive available. It's important to do your own
research and speak with your doctor about the advantages and
disadvantages of the different available types of hormonal contraceptive
and choose the one that best fits your needs.

For more information and tips on how to get the most out of your doctor's
visit, www.mybirthcontrol.ca.

To view the video associated with this release, please visit the link
below:

http://archives.cbc.ca/health/reproductive_issues/clips/3044/

To listen to the audio files associated with this release, please visit
the links below:

http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/BCComesFullCircleENGANR1.mp3

http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/BCComesFullCircleENGANR2.mp3

References:

(i) CBC Digital Archives. Legalizing Contraception.
archives.cbc.ca/version_print.asp?page=1&IDLan=1&IDClip=3044&IDDossier=0&IDCat=3
5&IDCatPa=258.
Last Accessed May 27, 2009.

(ii) CBC News. In Depth Health. Birth control: The options for pregnancy
prevention, January 10, 2008.
www.cbc.ca/news/background/health/birth-control.html. Last accessed May
13, 2009.

Contacts:
Edelman
Marsha Knoll
416-979-1120 ext. 329
Marsha.knoll@edelman.com

Copyright 2009, Market Wire, All rights reserved.

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