WHO prequalified hormonal contraceptives now eligible for USAID procurement

In November, Dr. Scott Radloff, Director of USAID's Office of Population and Reproductive Health, signed an action memorandum accepting WHO prequalified hormonal contraceptives, including oral contraceptives, implants, injectables and emergency contraception, as eligible for USAID purchase and supply to field programs.

Established in 2001, the WHO Prequalification of Medicines Program was created to facilitate access to medicines that meet unified standards of quality, safety and efficacy for HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. In 2004, WHO agreed to initiate the inclusion of 12 reproductive health products into the prequalification program and since that time 10 hormonal contraceptives have been prequalified.

USAID’s decision supports their commitment to provide highly effective contraceptives of assured quality to field programs, as well as promote the availability of quality, affordable contraceptives more broadly. Additionally, this decision represents a step toward harmonizing quality requirements with multilateral and global partners and facilitating adoption of best practices by country governments. Finally, the ability to procure from prequalified sources will assist USAID in maintaining a consistent supply of contraceptives to field programs, while providing flexibility and maximizing value in procurements.<//span>

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