Nigerian women to get injectable contraceptives

Posted by admin Headlines, Women Politics Saturday, November 15th, 2014

Nigerian women and others in 68 countries will now be able to have access to injectable contraceptives.

The pharmaceutical company, Pfizer Incorporated, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Children Investment Fund Foundation, on Thursday announced an agreement to expand access to the contraceptives called Sayana Press.

In Nigeria and many other developing countries, more than 200 million women want to delay pregnancy or prevent undesired pregnancy but are not using any method of contraception, the statement noted.

Sayana is approved by regulatory authorities in Nigeria, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, as well as additional markets in Latin America, the European Union and within the Asia Pacific region.

The injectable contraceptive is made available for women through the collaboration of organisations from the public and private sectors.

The product will be sold for $1(N172.00) per dose to qualified purchasers, who can enable the poorest women in these countries to have access to the contraceptive at reduced or no cost.

“Sayana Press combines a long-acting, reversible, contraceptive with an all-in-one prefilled, single-use, non-reusable Uniject injection system that eliminates the need to prepare a needle and syringe. The use of this delivery system allows the contraceptive to be administered by health workers to women at home or in other convenient settings.

“The training required is basic and straightforward. The contraceptive is indicated for the prevention of pregnancy. Each subcutaneous injection prevents ovulation and provides contraception for at least 13 weeks,” Pfizer said in a statement made available online.

According to the statement, the new contraceptive will broaden access to family planning.

The President of Pfizer Global Established Pharma Business, John Young said, “Pfizer saw an opportunity to address the needs of women living in hard-to-reach areas, and specifically enhanced the product’s technology with public health in mind.

“I’m so pleased with the leadership from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and other collaborating organisations that are helping create a sustainable market through an approach that could be a model for other medicines.”

At each of the 69 countries, Pfizer and its partners will work with local governments with the goal of including injectable contraceptive methods in reproductive health plans and budgets, coordinate health worker trainings, and raise awareness about the availability of the contraceptive.

“Far too many women die or are harmed because of unwanted pregnancies. This important partnership expands the choice of affordable contraceptives. We believe this will further support CIFF’s mission of enabling more women and children to survive and thrive,” the Chief Executive Officer of CIFF, Michael Anderson said.
-Punch

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