Sino-implant (II)

According to United Nations estimates, about 200 million women worldwide have an unmet need for safe and effective contraception -- that is, they neither want to get pregnant nor do they use a modern form of family planning. As a result, each year 70 to 80 million women face unwanted pregnancies.

Contraceptive implants, which were introduced more than 25 years ago, are one of the most effective family planning methods developed to date. Even though they have potential to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies significantly, they are underutilized, primarily because of their high cost. Few programs and clinics are able to offer the method and stockouts are frequent.

To address these problems, Family Health International (FHI) is facilitating the introduction of Sino-implant (II) -- a long-acting, safe, and affordable contraceptive implant. Sino-implant (II) costs about 70 percent less than implants currently on the market: Norplant, Jadelle, and Implanon. As a result, it can be offered to women on a much broader scale than the other implants and reduce the high unmet need for contraception.

Sino-implant (II) is a subdermal contraceptive implant manufactured in China by Shanghai Dahua Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. It has an annual pregnancy rate below 1 percent. The product is composed of two thin, flexible, silicone rods, each containing 75 mg levonorgestrel (a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone). These are inserted under the skin of a woman's arm or thigh by a trained health care provider. Sino-implant (II) is effective for four years.

FHI is leading the effort to ensure a safe and sustainable introduction of Sino-implant (II) in resource-constrained countries. We are working in coordination with the manufacturer and many other partners. Pharm Access Africa Ltd., for example, is securing the approval of local drug regulatory authorities in eleven African countries. FHI's primary responsibilities are to monitor production quality, facilitate regulatory approval, and help health systems at the national level to offer this method to women.

More information:

• Sino-Implant (II) – A Dramatically Less-Expensive Implant Option (PDF, 78 KB -- also available in French)
• Family Health Research: Long-Acting and Permanent Methods
• Sino-implant (II) product brochure (PDF, 673 KB)
• Implants Toolkit
• Long-Acting and Permanent Methods: Addressing Unmet Need for Family Planning in Africa
• Innovations in Family Planning Programs: An Interview with Jeff Spieler
• Checklist for Screening Clients Who Want to Initiate Contraceptive Implants