Caucus on New and Underused RH Technologies Report

Caucus on New and Underused RH Technologies Report to Members Ian Askew and Bonnie Keith 28 May 2010

Why the Caucus? • The Caucus was formed to provide a forum for identify common approaches, challenges and best practices to expanding choices in the availability of RH technologies, especially contraceptives

Technologies Briefs – Implants – Cyclebeads – Diaphragm – Female Condom – HPV Vaccines – Emergency Contraception – Levonorgestrel IUD – MVA – Mifepristone/Misoprostol – Progesterone Vaginal Ring – (Non-latex Condoms) – Others?

Meeting outcomes • Goal: To help expand choice in access to reproductive health technologies • Purpose: Contribute to country-level efforts to achieve MDG 5, by both supporting work to achieve universal access to RH services and products, and by facilitating their use to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity

Meeting outcomes, cont. • Approaches: – Broaden discussions within the Coalition of technologies that meet users’ needs and have desirable effects, but are not well integrated into the public or commercial sectors globally – Collaborate with the Working Groups to identify specific initiatives that contribute to improved choice at national level

Activities 2010 – 2011 • Hold quarterly teleconferences to discuss Caucus activities and engage members • Identify at least one liaison per Working Group who will represent the Caucus priorities • Identify opportunities within WG workstreams to pursue the development of guidelines, tools, and Innovation Fund proposals relevant to Caucus priorities • Promote use of Caucus Briefs among Coalition members and country-level decision makers • Propose a panel session for the 2011 Coalition members meeting on technology introduction strategies