Norplant System Levonorgestral Implants, Resource Center educational materials

Object Details

Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories

Description

This Norplant System Resource Center kit contains one (1) white folder holding brochures and product information; two (2) video tapes - "Insertion/ Removal Techniques" and "Counseling Guidelines;" and one (1) metal trocar (1998.0157.02.02) and one (1) arm model, "Subdermal Implant Training Model," (1998.0157.02.01). The model arm and trocar were used to train medical professionals in the implantation technique. In the Norplant system of contraception, six (6) capsules of levongesterol are inserted under the skin of the upper arm. The capsules may remain in place for up to 5 years. Norplant was approved by the FDA in 1990. Wyeth-Ayerst, distributor of the Norplant system, worked with the Population Council to develop the training materials.

Researchers at the Population Council, a non-profit focused on global population concerns, began developing Norplant in the mid-1960s for use in international population control programs. After FDA approval in 1990, Norplant was licensed to Wyeth-Ayerst for distribution in the United States. Norplant consisted of six silicone rods implanted in a woman’s arm that released contraceptive hormones for up to five years, although they could be removed at any time. Norplant was immediately controversial due to concerns that law- and policy-makers targeted poor, teenage, and/or African American women as intended users due to the duration of contraception it provided, and complaints about its cost ($365 for Norplant itself, plus insertion) and negative side effects. The most serious health complaints involved infection and scarring at the insertion site and problems with removal. With declining sales and litigation costs of nearly 200 lawsuits, Wyeth suspended distribution in 2000, and removed Norplant from the market in 2002.

Reference: Watkins, Elizabeth Siegel. "From Breakthrough to Bust: The Brief Life of Norplant, the Contraceptive Implant." Journal of Women's History, vol. 22 no. 3, 2010, p. 88-111.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Wyeth-Ayerst Laboratories

early 1990s

copyright date

1990

ID Number

1998.0157.02

catalog number

1998.0157.02

accession number

1998.0157

Object Name

educational materials, contraceptive

educational materials, contraceptive

Other Terms

educational materials, contraceptive; Teaching Materials

Physical Description

plastic (overall material)

paper (overall material)

rubber, plastic, foam, paint (arm material)

metal, plastic (syringe material)

Measurements

overall: 11 5/8 in x 11 3/4 in x 3 3/8 in; 29.5275 cm x 29.845 cm x 8.5725 cm

part: manual closed: 9 in x 9 1/16 in; 22.86 cm x 23.01875 cm

part: artificial forearm: 2 5/8 in x 6 in x 3 1/2 in; 6.6675 cm x 15.24 cm x 8.89 cm

part: syringe: 3/8 in x 4 1/4 in x 3/8 in; .9525 cm x 10.795 cm x .9525 cm

place made

United States: Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Medicine

Health & Medicine

National Museum of American History

Subject

Women's Health

Record ID

nmah_688314

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a5-0618-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa