The Market Development Approaches Working Group (MDA WG) contributes to the goal of reproductive health (RH) supply security through a greater focus on the "total market" which, by definition, includes the private and commercial sectors. It seeks to bring about changes that allow for greater movement "up" the value chain, from subsidized to non-subsidized products. It also aims to facilitate overall market growth, greater equity through the better targeting of subsidies, and wider private sector involvement.
Since its establishment, the MDA WG has broadened global awareness of market development approaches and helped to refine current understanding of the total market for RH supplies. Technical input from the WG was instrumental in shaping IPPF/ICON’s seminal work on second tier markets; which, in turn, focused the WG's attention on the need to assure the quality of the generic supplies on which those markets largely depend. Finally, the MDA WG is the only WG within the Coalition to have launched its own web-based "key issues guide" on market development approaches.
Workstreams
The MDA WG is currently engaged in the following workstreams:
- MDA Resources, Tools, and Guidelines
- Mainstreaming alternative approaches to RHCS
- Facilitating the availability of new and underused RH Technologies
- Facilitating the availability of quality assured supplies
- Facilitating an enabling environment for the non-public sector to complement the health stewardship role of the State (including the Total Market Initiative)
Working Group Leader
Ben Light
Senior Technical Adviser
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Brussels Liaison Office
Email: light(at)unfpa.org
Secretariat contact
Bonnie Keith
Senior Program Associate
Washington, DC, USA
Email: bkeith(at)path.org
