New Delhi, March 24 (UNI) The Health Ministry today dismissed apprehension that the injectable contraceptive Depo-Provera had any permanent side effect, but said it was not directly going to introduce the drug in the field, but do it in phases. Replying to supplementary questions in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Health Anupriya Patel said the injectable contraceptive would first be introduced in medical colleges, then in community health centres and lastly in primary health centres. Seeking to allay the questioner’s apprehension about the side effects of the drug, she said it had only temporary side effects. For example, the bone density loss caused by it was made up once the use of the contraceptive was discontinued, Ms Patel said. On the questioner’s suggestion that some pills could be introduced in very low doses, she said they were not found to be effective. UNI NAZ SNU 1157