Medicine: Pill Caution

There is universal agreement that oral contraceptives are such potent drugs that they should be taken only under a doctor's supervision — and that some women should not take them at all (TIME, Jan. 26; March 9). How can women be alerted to these admitted facts without being scared off the Pill entirely?

After a torrent of alarmist anti-Pill testimony at Senate hearings earlier this year, the U.S. Food and Drug Ad ministration published the draft of an elaborate warning to be inserted in each month's supply of contraceptive pills.

The FDA was promptly attacked by the American Medical Association, which charged it with interfering in doctor-patient relationships, and by the pharmaceutical companies, which saw their sales slipping. White House pressure made the FDA back down.

Last week it decided that by mid-summer — barring further legal or political action — all Pill packages should contain this shorter, simpler warning:

"The oral contraceptives are powerful, effective drugs. Do not take these drugs without your doctor's continued supervision. As with all effective drugs, they may cause side effects in some cases and should not be taken at all by some. Rare instances of abnormal blood clot ting are the most important known complications. These points were discussed with you when you chose this method of contraception.

"While you are taking this drug, you should have periodic examinations at intervals set by your doctor. Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following: 1) severe headache, 2) blurred vision, 3) pain in the legs, 4) pain in the chest or unexplained cough, 5) irregular or missed periods."