Expand availability and access

UNFPA will support countries to expand contraceptive options and choices and improve the delivery of good quality counselling and information on each option, free from discrimination, including the benefits and risks of each method for the user to freely choose according to their preference and lifestyle. Availability reflects the extent to which a provider has the facilities, staff, commodities and necessary equipment to provide a service that meets a client’s needs. Accessibility reflects whether services can be used by those who need them. Work in this area is guided in particular by the principles of equity and leaving no one behind, and endeavours to deliver services to the last mile. 

Programmatic options

2.2.1 FP campaigns: Promote sensitization and awareness -about family planning as part of sexual and reproductive health and rights using different channels and digital solutions with information adjusted to different population groups. Channels include traditional media such as radio, television, film, posters and other print publishing as well as mobile applications, social media and events for community mobilization through civil society organizations and community leaders. Audiences include adolescents, young adults, parents, women,  men, and marginalized people such as migrants, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities and LGBTIQ+ people.

2.2.2 Dialogue: Promote alliances with different community organizations, and engage and mobilize them through group dialogue and action to promote healthy sexual relationships, raise awareness for family planning as part of sexual and reproductive health and rights, and raise awareness about the availability of high-quality family planning/contraception services and information. Focus particularly on those furthest behind.

2.2.3 Technologies: Support the development and use of digital technologies to expand access to information and virtual family planning services to the most vulnerable and marginalized populations, including adolescents.

Programmatic options

2.3.1 Integrate contraceptives: Engage in evidence-based advocacy to promote high-level involvement and commitment of the Ministry of Health to reproductive health commodity security (RHCS) and efficient and effective integration of quality-assured contraceptives in supply chain management systems.

2.3.2 Procurement capacity: Strengthen the capacities of governmental institutions and/or non-governmental organizations through the development or adaptation of costed supply chain management strategies, multi-year supply plans for contraceptive products, procedure manuals and training materials for supply chain management and expansion. 

2.3.3 Pre-service training: Integrate concepts of reproductive health commodity security into  pre-service training curricula for pharmacy, nursing schools and biomedical science schools. 

2.3.4 Private sector partnership: Map, engage and strengthen platforms to engage non-public sector partners such as local transporters and third-party delivery agents to create public-private partnership to capitalize on private sector supply chain capacity, where appropriate, and delivery to the last mile.

2.3.5 Quality assurance: Strengthen quality assurance mechanisms from product selection through production, shipment, customs clearance, storage and distribution processes to ensure the integrity and safety of products up to the end user.

2.3.6 LMIS: Promote the development and implementation of a logistic management information system (LMIS, electronic or manual) that is interconnected between the different levels, from service delivery point to central warehouse.

2.3.7 Last Mile Assurance (LMA): Develop and/or apply innovative and technology-based tools to monitor, using relevant indicators, the availability, storage, distribution and rational use of quality-assured contraceptives, while minimizing expiry and wastage in the supply chain.

2.3.8 Shaping the market: Use marketing principles and techniques to shape the provision of contraceptive services and products to improve access, choice and use for target populations through key strategies such as Total Market Approaches (TMA), new product introduction to expand choices, leveraging volumes and reach to negotiate with manufacturers, elimination of commercialization barriers or improving efficiency of procurement mechanisms. 

2.3.9 Global suppliers: Expand the number of suppliers at global, regional and subregional levels in each of the contraceptive categories, and establish long-term agreements with contraceptive manufacturers approved through the WHO/UNFPA Prequalification Programmes or reliance on registration in countries with Stringent Regulatory Authorities (SRA).

2.3.10 Pricing: Support pooled and or bulk procurement across the national or sub-national level and advocate for subsidized social marketing products to be targeted and priced appropriately.

2.3.11 Pooled and third party procurement: Strengthen government capacities and put the necessary processes and platforms in place for countries to access UNFPA third party procurement mechanisms, or pooled/coordinated buying across countries/regions by working with manufacturers and global stakeholders to shape markets and right-size demand and supply for contraceptives at affordable prices.

2.3.12 Mapping: Collaborate in assessing and mapping supply chain structures and processes in order to maximize the efficiency and effectiveness by identifying and removing bottlenecks at different levels and ensuring provision of data on key reproductive health commodity security indicators.