BENTONVILLE, AR — Corporate conglomerate Wal-Mart is now offering two of the most commonly-prescribed birth control pills at $9.00 for a thirty day supply. The company slashed the price on the generic versions of Ortho-Cyclen and Ortho-Tricyclen — Sprintec and Tri-Sprintec — in an effort many believe to be part of an overall effort to bring more young women into the store. This is the first time the corporation has included birth control in their prescription drug markdowns.”This is all just due to the buying power of Wal-Mart,” Wal-Mart’s pharmacy district manager from Long Island, New York Gregg Casarona said in a company press release. “We just talk to the [drug] manufacturers and tell them we want to save customers money, that they need to work with us. We’re not making a lot of money [from the program] but it is profitable.”

The pill packs usually cost between $24.00 to $31.00 at pharmacies and at most Planned Parenthoods.

“Today’s announcement reinforces our commitment to driving costs out of the health system and saving money for our customers so they can live better, healthier lives,” said Dr. John Agwunobi, Wal-Mart senior vice president and president for the professional services division. “The savings were a big deal 12 months ago and an even bigger deal today for customers struggling with spiraling healthcare costs.”

Meanwhile, researchers visiting Seattle this week from around the world discussed the elusiveness of finding a birth control solution for men, other than condoms and vasectomies.

Dr. Bill Bremner is director of the male contraceptive research center at the University of Washington and he discussed the work that has been conducted at the center — one of four others in the United States working on birth control options for men. The centers run on grants received from the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

At the center, researchers are testing to see if testosterone-filled injections or creams can lower sperm count enough to prevent pregnancies. One study showed a 98-percent success rate with couples using a testosterone-based hormone contraceptive with the side effects for the guys being weight gain and acne — just like the side effects currently experienced by women using estrogen-based birth control pills.

Other projects Bremner’s team have been working on are heat’s effect on sperm production, ultrasound as a sperm killer, and creating more reversible vasectomies. An implant system called an Intra Vas device, is also in development. Intra Vas consists of tiny rods that block sperm flow.

“I’ve been saying a male contraceptive will be available in five to seven years for 20 years now,” Bremner said to the conference attendees. “I continue to believe it’s going to happen. It’s just a matter of time.”

The conference was sponsored by the University of Washington, the World Health Organization and the National Institute of Health.