Move for injectable contraceptives hailed

New Delhi: Several NGOs on Tuesday welcomed the Drug Technical Advisor Board's recommendation to introduce injectable contraceptive called DMPA in the government's family planning programmes.

These NGOs included the Population Foundation of India.

If the deoxy medroxy progesterone acetate (DMPA) is implemented, it would be the 6th modern contraceptive method to be given free of cost.

The government presently offers five birth control options free of cost in the family planning programmes of India, namely female sterilization, male sterilization, IUD, condoms and pills, the NGOs said.

The coalition of 32 NGOs has also offered to provide technical support to the health ministry, under which the Drugs Technical Advisor's Board comes. It has urged the board to address issues of quality care during delivery and consistency in supplies of injectables.