ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, May 11, 1993                   TAG: 9305110195
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

COMPANY SAYS IT HAS OK TO SELL FEMALE CONDOM

Wisconsin Pharmacal Co. said Monday it has won final regulatory approval for the first female condom, which can protect women against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS.

The Food and Drug Administration said two weeks ago it was ready to license the Reality condom but stressed that male latex condoms remain a better safeguard. The new condom, however, affords women a chance to protect themselves when their partners refuse to use a male condom.

The female condom had a 26 percent failure rate in preventing pregnancy during a six-month trial. The company attributed that to incorrect use or failure to use the device at all.

Reality is a soft, loose-fitting plastic pouch that lines the vagina. - Associated Press 


 by CNB