To help enable greater access to injectable contraceptives for millions of women in low- and lower-middle income countries, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), Pfizer and Becton, Dickinson & Company (BD) announced the expansion of their nearly decade-long collaboration. The expanded collaboration is expected to deliver more than 320 million doses of Pfizer's injectable contraceptive, Sayana® Press (medroxyprogesterone acetate)(1) administered by BD Uniject™ Auto-Disable Prefillable Injection System, through 2030. The update allows for increased manufacturing capacity and also sees an additional 23 eligible countries added to the program.
Poor access to contraceptives presents a significant burden for women living in low- and middle-income countries. According to a 2022 study, one in 14 women worldwide who want to use contraceptives cannot access them.(2) This amounts to an unmet need of 162 million women, the majority of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia.
"DMPA-SC(3) is a unique product with multifaceted benefits," said Fannie Kachale, Director Reproductive Health Services in the Malawi Ministry of Health. "We, as Malawi Ministry of Health, are glad that we are part of the roll out. In addition to all the advantages for women, it is also helping the National Family Planning Program in its efforts toward achieving the Family Planning 2030 goal of reaching modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate of 60%."
The collaboration is an extension of a partnership that first began in 2014. Under the agreement, Pfizer will begin work to increase manufacturing capacity by 65%. The partners also agreed to increase the number of countries covered under the partnership from 69 to 92 countries that will include all low- and lower-middle income countries as well as several upper-middle income countries as defined by the World Bank. The previously guaranteed pricing of $0.85 per unit for the standard presentation will be maintained for public sector purchasers in low- and lower-middle income countries.
"By extending access to the self-injectable contraceptive, this partnership is delivering one of the most important innovations in family planning that can benefit the millions of women and girls who, today, lack access to contraception meeting the highest quality standards. This renewed ambition reflects our determination that all individuals realize their fundamental right to decide when and whether to start a family, to help keep them and their families healthy, and accelerate progress towards gender equality," said Miles Kemplay, Executive Director Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights at CIFF.
"Through the continued commitment and collaboration of these partners, millions of women have been empowered to make family planning decisions on their own terms, which can positively impact the future for them, their families, and their communities" said Nick Lagunowich, Global President of Pfizer Emerging Markets. "We are proud to not just continue but to grow this important initiative to help enable greater access to affordable solutions for the most vulnerable."
"Ensuring our products enable affordable access for those who need it most is critical to our commitment to building a healthier, more equitable world," said Michael Garrison, EVP & President of the Medical Segment at BD. "For more than two decades, the BD Uniject™ Auto-Disable Prefillable Injection System has provided patients in low and middle-income countries with access to pre-filled vaccines and medicines. The continued supply of this injection system enables medicines, like contraceptives, to be delivered easily through self-administration or by community health workers."
"Too many women stop using family planning because they're dissatisfied with their method. Discreet, long-acting contraceptive methods can help address barriers that prevent many women from using contraceptives," said Dr. Ru Cheng, Director of Women's Health Innovations at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "The expansion of this innovative partnership will support access for women and adolescents living in low- and lower-income countries to the innovative family planning products they want and need to take charge of their health, lives, and futures."
Sayana Press is approved by regulatory authorities in more than 50 countries across the European Union and in a number of FP2030 focus countries. These countries include Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Uganda, as well as additional markets in Latin America and within Asia Pacific. Additional regulatory approvals are being pursued.
About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people - especially those with the fewest resources - have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Co-chairs Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates and the board of trustees.
About Children's Investment Fund Foundation
CIFF is the world’s largest philanthropy that focuses specifically on improving children's lives. We know that the returns on smart investments in areas such as children’s early development and adolescent girls are especially high. So, we aim to play a catalytic role as a funder and influencer to deliver urgent and lasting change at scale. Areas of work include improving children and adolescents' health, nutrition, deworming, welfare and smart ways to slow down and stop climate change.
About BD
BD is one of the largest global medical technology companies in the world and is advancing the world of health by improving medical discovery, diagnostics and the delivery of care. The company supports the heroes on the frontlines of health care by developing innovative technology, services and solutions that help advance both clinical therapy for patients and clinical process for health care providers. BD and its 77,000 employees have a passion and commitment to help enhance the safety and efficiency of clinicians' care delivery process, enable laboratory scientists to accurately detect disease and advance researchers' capabilities to develop the next generation of diagnostics and therapeutics. BD has a presence in virtually every country and partners with organizations around the world to address some of the most challenging global health issues. By working in close collaboration with customers, BD can help enhance outcomes, lower costs, increase efficiencies, improve safety and expand access to health care.
About Pfizer Inc.: Breakthroughs that Change Patients' Lives
At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery, development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely on us.
1. While Sayana Press is not available in the US, the US version of the same DMPA-SC formulation is DEPO-SUBQ PROVERA 104, which is available as a prefilled syringe
2. Haakenstad A, Angelino O, Irvine C, Bhutta ZA, Bienhoff K, Bintz C, Causey K, Dirac MA, Fullman N, Gakidou E, Glucksman T, Hay SI, Henry NJ, Martopullo I, Mokdad AH, Mumford JE, Lim SS, Murray CJL, Lozano R. 2022. Measuring contraceptive method mix, prevalence, and demand satisfied by age and marital status in 204 countries and territories, 1970–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Online: The Lancet. Available at: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(22)00936-9/fulltext
3. Depot-medroxyprogesterone acetate-Subcutaneous