Use and acceptance of the 'paper pill' a novel approach to oral contraception

A randomized, crossover study comparing the acceptance of and attitudes towards two dosage forms of the same oral contraceptive product - a paper presentation and the conventional tablet, was carried out in a network of rural and suburban research centers in the State of Durango, México. The results failed to show any significant advantage (in terms of acceptability or continuation) of the paper formulation. Although two-thirds of the participants indicated a preference for the conventional tablet, there was a high degree of acceptance of the paper formulation among new oral contraceptive acceptors.A randomized, crossover study comparing the acceptance of and attitude towards 2 dosage forms of the same oral contraceptive product -- a paper presentation and the conventional tablet -- was carried out in a network of rural and suburban research centers in the State of Durango, Mexico. 68 women used the paper pill for 3 months and then switched to the tablet for another 3, while 70 women took the tablet 1st and switched to the paper pill. The results failed to show any significant advantage in terms of acceptability or continuation for the paper formulation. Both formulations were perceived as effective and easy to use. 2/3 of the participants indicated a preference for the tablets at the end of the study, but there was a high degree of acceptance of the paper formulation among new oral contraceptive acceptors. The authors believe that an improved paper formulation could be successfully introduced into a national program, if there were substantial savings in cost associated with the "paper pill."