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Norplant, a contraceptive which delivers progesterone through six silicone
rods implanted under the skin of the upper arm, is being withdrawn from Britain
in October. Over six million women use the contraceptive worldwide, but its
distributor, Hoechst Marion Roussel, says demand has collapsed in Britain
following a glut of bad publicity. Hundreds of women claim to have suffered from
irregular periods, hair loss and suicidal depression after receiving the
implant. However, a lawsuit against the firm collapsed four months ago.