ASSOCIATION FOR VOLUNTARY SURGICAL CONTRACEPTION - A TECHNICAL STATEMENT ON QUINACRINE PELLETS FOR NONSURGICAL FEMALE STERILIZATION

For many years, researchers have been seeking nonsurgical methods for female sterilization because these methods may be safer, simpler, chea per, and quicker than conventional techniques, and may require a lower level of skill to deliver. Various investigators have explored using intrauterine instillation of quinacrine for tubal occlusion. Until rec ently, reports of quinacrine use for nonsurgical sterilization have be en scarce and limited to data sets involving small numbers with very s hort-term follow-up. The July 24, 1993 issue of the Lancet reports on 31 781 cases of nonsurgical sterilization with quinacrine in a field t rial from Vietnam. The present paper is written as a background review to assist family planning providers in the dialogue regarding the int roduction and use of quinacrine. It attempts to answer questions regar ding what is currently known about the safety and efficacy of quinacri ne, and what the recent article published in the Lancet adds to our kn owledge. It also raises the question of how quinacrine sterilization a ffects free and informed choice and the other interests of family plan ning clients.