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.

The MDA WG is currently engaged in the following workstreams:

• MDA Resources, Tools, and Guidelines
• 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)

Ian Askew
Director of Reproductive Health Services and Research
Population Council
Email: iaskew(at)popcouncil.org

Anita Deshpande
Market Shaping Officer
Washington, DC, USA
Email: adeshpande(at)rhsupplies.org