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HOUSTON — The Female Health Company is teaming up with state and local health departments and community-based organizations in the Houston area to provide women with access to the FC2 Female Condom.
The Chicago-based company said FC2 will be introduced March 10 at a series of events at clinics, hospitals, community-based health centers and college campuses. Timed to coincide with National Women and Girls’ HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the events will provide participants with free FC2 Female Condoms as well as education on their use.
Also, FC2 will be available for purchase at select Walgreens drug stores in the Houston area, The Female Health Company (FHC) said. The cost of a pack of three FC2 Female Condoms ranges between $5.99 and $7.99, according to the company, which added that Walgreens stocks FC2 in more than 600 stores nationwide.
FC2 is the only female-initiated method to prevent both sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, and unintended pregnancy that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FHC reported. The birth control product provides an alternative to unprotected sex or use of a male condom, the company said.
"FHC is privileged to work with such great community organizations to introduce another option for prevention of both sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies," commented Mary Ann Leeper, senior strategic adviser at The Female Health Company. "FHC is proud to be a part of this very important endeavor. We are committed to working with cities across the U.S., public health departments and community organizations to increase the option available to promote safer sex."
Each of the 17 organizations hosting FC2 Female Condom launch events has trained its participating representatives on how to educate constituents on the use of the contraceptive. Partners include the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Houston Department of Health and Human Services, AIDS Foundation Houston, Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast, YWCA Houston, and a number of local colleges and universities.
One event will include the introduction of a new Status Red lip gloss developed by LAMIK Beauty, a Houston-based cosmetics company, and the training of local hairstylists on how to engage their female clients with information on safer sex and the FC2 Female Condom.
"Each year we reach over 50,000 Houstonians through our education and outreach programs," stated Nike Lukan, director of prevention services for AIDS Foundation Houston. "To be able to talk about and offer FC2 as an option to further prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS is an added benefit to our constituents."
