Benzinga | Jul 15, 2020 06:50AM EDT

TherapeuticsMD And Nurx Expand Access To ANNOVERA

Largest online practice for women's health now offers the first FDA-approved long-lasting birth control method that does not require a medical procedure

BOCA RATON, Fla. & SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- TherapeuticsMD, an innovative women's healthcare company, and Nurx, the largest online practice for women's health, today announced an arrangement to expand access to ANNOVERA(r) (segesterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol vaginal system), a first of its kind annual birth control ring. ANNOVERA is the first FDA-approved long-lasting birth control method that does not require a medical procedure. At a time when women are facing significant barriers to reproductive healthcare, this arrangement will greatly expand access to this highly effective and innovative form of contraception to Nurx's 300,000 patients across the country.

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Nurx has seen a 50 percent increase in birth control requests since early March, a trend that has continued as one in three women are reporting significant difficulties accessing contraception and reproductive healthcare due to the COVID-19 pandemic.1 Nurx has also seen an increase in patients requesting longer-term forms of contraception that can be administered at home, making ANNOVERA a viable option for patients who are interested in a long-lasting, self-managed, and effective form of birth control.

"We are excited to expand access to ANNOVERA via the Nurx virtual clinic, which provides a convenient option for women to consult with a doctor about reproductive treatment options as well as the ability to receive their contraception with the convenience of home delivery," said TherapeuticsMD Chief Commercial Officer Dawn Halkuff.

ANNOVERA is a flexible, silicone ring that is inserted into the vagina and releases a steady dose of progestin and estrogen to suppress ovulation and prevent pregnancy. ANNOVERA is self-inserted and left in place for 21 continuous days and then removed for 7 days, a process that is repeated for each cycle. ANNOVERA should be washed and dried before insertion and after removal and can be stored in its plastic case during the 7 days removal. ANNOVERA is effective for 13 cycles. Please see Important Safety Information, including Boxed Warning, for ANNOVERA below.

"COVID-19 is magnifying existing barriers to women's healthcare while simultaneously introducing new roadblocks," said Nurx VP of Marketing Katelyn Watson. "As part of our commitment to empower our patients and their reproductive health decisions, we're excited to partner with TherapeuticsMD and expand access to a novel, convenient, and effective form of contraception."

Nurx offers over 100 types of birth control, including the pill, patch, ring, and shot, and accepts health insurance. Patients who are interested in obtaining a birth control prescription through Nurx are asked to complete a dynamic health survey through the Nurx app. They are then matched with a Nurx medical provider who consults with the patient. If the Nurx provider approves their request, their birth control prescription will arrive in discreet packaging. After their initial consultation, Nurx patients also have unlimited access to their provider for one year, allowing them to ask as many birth control questions as they'd like.

Nurx is available to nearly 90 percent of the U.S. population. The full list of states where Nurx is available includes Alabama, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin.

Nurx patients can learn more about Annovera at https://www.nurx.com/annovera.