HEALTH: Unapproved Contraceptive Devices Provided by RI, Mass. Practice

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – A Rhode Island obstetrics practice has been censured for providing women with intrauterine contraceptive devices that aren't approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

The state Health Department on Wednesday issued a compliance order to OB-GYN Associates, Inc., a practice with seven locations in Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

The order prohibits the center from implanting IUDs in patients until further notice. It also requires the center to notify women who have had IUDs implanted since January 2009.

Health officials say they can't vouch for the effectiveness of the non-FDA-approved IUDs. State Health Director David Gifford says women treated at the center may want to have their IUDs removed, though there's no urgent need to do so.

A phone message left with the office manager was not immediately returned Wednesday.
      
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