Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition SEMIANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Female

Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition SEMI-ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING Female Condom Consortium Presentation by Yvonne Bogaarts World Population Foundation 25 October 2007

Structure – – – State of the Art Acceptibility Obstacles Potential of female condom Consortium: partners & plans • R&D • Implementation in selected countries • Knowledge centre – Difference the RHSC can make

Female condom products • Female Health Company in USA: FC 1 (polyurethane) (approved by USFDA, 1993) • FC 2 (nitrile) (approved by WHO 2006)

Medtech Health Products in India: V’Amour FC/Dr. Reddy (latex) (approved by India Drug Controller in 2003, not approved by WHO)

Forthcoming PATH: development of a better product Timing: will take another 2 -3 years

Female Health Company • • US based company Introduction 1992, approved USFDA in 1993 Production started in 1996 In 2007: sole manufacturer for donor and UN agencies • Production increased 10 x times since 1996 • Production in 2005: 22 million female condoms (12 million for developing countries) • Available in 108 countries

Buyers of the female condom In 2004 • 2, 3 million by UNFPA • 2 million bought by USAID • 1, 6 million by DFID • Rest donors: Kf. W and DANIDA • Governments of Brazil, South Africa, Zimbabwe, France, Kenya • Private sector/NGO: PSI, DKT, IPPF and MSI • Private sector/ shops (P. Friel, 2005)

Global consultations • 1993 “Potential Role of the Female Condom in International AIDS Prevention”, AIDSCAP • 1997 “The Female Condom: From Research to Marketplace” AIDSCAP • 2001 “Technical Update on the Female Condom” FHI • 2004 Expert meeting on female condom GCM/GCWA • 2005 Global Consultation on Female Condoms (Baltimore)

Same barriers discussed - stereotypes on women and sexuality - pre-conceived ideas - costs - lack of funding and funders - provider resistance

Acceptibility • No static fact • Studies indicate high acceptability rate • Acceptability influenced by: - individual factors – insertion skills and practice - male partners - environment

Potential of female condom Female Condom is: + effective contraceptive + protects against STIs, including HIV + women-initiated + available NOW = a real addition to method mix

Potential of female condom Female condom important in context of: • high maternal mortality rate • feminisation of HIV/AIDS • limited choice infection-prevention methods • high cost and limited availability AIDS treatment

Female Condom Consortium: Tackle the Challenges Five partners: - Oxfam Novib - World Population Foundation - Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs - JIPPY Foundation - IDA Solutions

Plans Female Condom Consortium R&D: cheaper female condom Country programme Knowledge centre

Research & Development • Female Condom Consortium: development of cheaper product • Latex Timing • FCC: May 2008 to be on the market Quality assurance: international (WHO)

Country programme • Nigeria: 3 selected states • Malawi National Advisory Board set up Main actors: • Civil society: IEC, distribution • Government and UN: advocacy, support IEC and distribution, financing • Private sector: subsidised distribution and promotion, sale at affordable price

Country programme Main areas: - Registration: national (NAFDAC) - Procurement, Logistics, Importation, Distribution - Marketing and Sales - Monitoring & Evaluation

Knowledge centre • • Data base Disseminate results country implementation Advocacy Enhance collaboration and cooperation Working for professionals in the field, donor community and policymakers

What difference RHSC make? • Positive Advocacy for the female condom, not ridicule it! • Support ongoing and further R&D • Funding

Thank you! Questions, remarks, comments: y. bogaarts@wpf. org