Contraceptive supplies threatened by inadequate funding.

The number of contraceptive users in developing countries is expected to reach 764 million by 2015, 212 million more than in 2000. The three main sources of funding for contraceptives in developing countries are donors, governments and users themselves. From 1992 to 1996 donors provided about 41% of the total. To ensure the same proportion of support for projected requirements, donors would have to provide US$390 million in 2002 and US$739 million in 2015. Total donor support for contraception reached US$172 million in 1996 but fell to US$131 million 1999 and US$154 million in 2000. Developing country governments' and consumers' share would have to reach $564 million in 2002 and $1,067 million in 2015 to make up for this. Countries will also need to improve their management of human resources, logistics, information systems, monitoring of supply and distribution, and forecasting and procurement of supplies. Whoever pays, much more funding for contraceptives is urgently needed to keep up with demand. (1)

(1.) Hopkins Report: Family planning logistics: strengthening the supply chain. Population Reports 2002;30(1). Series J, No. 51.