Bangladesh is a country where “reproductive revolution” is occurring since the country gained its independence in 1971. The contraceptive prevalence rate in Bangladesh increased from 3 percent in 1971 to 55.8 in 2006 (source: Bangladesh Health Survey 2007).Oral pill is a widely used method of contraception in Bangladesh.
Recently, a nonprofit organization Social Marketing Company (SMC) has started marketing and distribution of a new low dose oral pill “Combination 3(C3)” with commodity assistance from USAID. C3 is manufactured by Bayer Schering Pharma, Germany and contains the hormonal formulation of Levonorgestrel 0.15mg and Ethinylestradiol 0.03 mg. Being a low dose formulation ‘C3’ easily suits with body. Considering the low income mass population of the country, SMC has placed ‘C3’ in the market at very affordable price.
The introduction of C3 will further strengthen the National Family program of this most densely populated country. This initiative is likely to contribute to achieve CPR rate 72% by 2015.
Rahnuma Afroz
Program Associate, PPD