Two more ob/gyn practices cited for IUDs

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Department of Health last week issued compliance orders to two more obstetrics and gynecology practices for using intrauterine devices that they had bought from non-federally approved sources. Another practice, OB-GYN Associates, had been cited on June 23.
Officials said Bayside OB-GYN Inc. and the Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology Inc. had contacted the department after the first practice was cited and reported that they, too, were buying and inserting IUDs from international sources.
The compliance orders to the two practices cited last week require them to immediately stop using non-FDA-approved IUDs, notify all patients, within 10 days, who received a non-FDA-approved IUD, and provide that patient list to the Department of Health.
“Use of non-FDA-approved IUDs is illegal,” said Dr. David R. Gifford, the state health director. “Our primary concern right now is lack of effectiveness as a form of birth control. Any patient who received a non-FDA-approved IUD needs to be informed so that she can use an alternate form of birth control such as condoms or abstinence.”
Also last week, on Tuesday, the department issued an advisory to all licensed ob/gyns urging anyone who had bought or inserted a non-FDA-approved IUD to notify officials by noon last Friday, July 2. All reports will be verified by the department.
A list of all practitioners and practices who are known to have used non-FDA-approved IUDs is posted here or can be obtained by calling (401) 222-8022/RI Relay 711. The list will be updated as needed.
Copies of the compliance orders are available here (Bayside) and here (Center for Obstetrics & Gynecology).