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WomanCare Global and PSI's Official Update
October 13, 2015
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Source:WomanCare Global and PSI's Official Update
Topics:
Service Delivery & Quality
WomanCare Global and PSI provided the following updates on progress in achieving its FP2020 commitments:
Expanding access to an array of reproductive health products and managing large-scale distribution: Under the USAID-funded, Expanding Effective Contraceptive Options (EECO) project, WCG and PSI are working together to introduce new methods of contraception. Large-scale pilots in Zambia, Malawi, Madagascar and India will provide women with greater choice to prevent unplanned pregnancy. New methods supported under EECO include four new product lines: a contraceptive gel; new barrier methods; a hormonal intrauterine system (IUS) and intra-vaginal rings (IVR).
Increasing the usage of long-acting, reversible contraceptives: In Q3 2015, under the USAID-funded Expanding Effective Contraceptive Options project, WCG and PSI will begin planning for the pilot introduction of Medecine360/Actavis’ levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS), Liletta. WCG and PSI will commence regulatory activities for the product in Malawi, Zambia and Madagascar before the close of 2015. Registration will take between six and twelve months, depending on the country.
Monitoring the quality of products and evaluating programs: Under the USAID-funded, Expanding Effective Contraceptive Options project, WCG is responsible for quality assurance/quality control for each of the project’s focus products, including: a contraceptive gel; new barrier methods; a hormonal intrauterine system (IUS) and intra-vaginal rings (IVR).
Providing training and other forms of support: Under the Expanding Effective Contraceptive Options (EECO) project, PSI and WCG will commence medical detailer training and provider/retailer orientation for the first product launch (the Woman’s Condom) in Malawi and Zambia in Q3/Q4 2015. Additional product training will take place in 2016 and 2017 in Malawi, Zambia, Madagascar and India prior to the launch of the other EECO products (e.g. the SILCS Diaphragm, Amphora Contraceptive Gel and the LNG-IUS).
Utilizing existing wholesale and retail distribution infrastructure to make products widely available, supplemented by outreach events and the engagement of community-based health workers: As of June 2015, under the USAID-funded Expanding Effective Contraceptive Options (EECO) project, WCG and PSI have registered the PATH-developed SILCS Diaphragm and Woman’s Condom in Malawi and Zambia. The Woman’s Condom will launch in 2015 via private sector outlets (pharmacies, clinics and select fast moving goods outlets) in Malawi and Zambia. In both countries, PSI and WCG will promote the EECO products via interpersonal communication agents acting at the community level and via medical detailers who will target providers and retailers.
Focusing on an integrated pilot effort in four markets in Africa: Under the USAID-funded Expanding Effective Contraceptive Options (EECO) project, WCG and PSI are working together to introduce new contraceptive methods via integrated pilots in three African countries—Malawi, Zambia and Madagascar—as well as in India.