IUD Mirena
This
new IUD Mirena sounds interesting. What are the prospects that USAID
will begin providing it for programs?
Cost
is likely to be an insurmountable hurdle. In the private sector
at least, the price is likely to be in the hundreds of dollars.
Over the years AID staff have had discussions with Schering (and
with its predecessor Leiras) about an acceptable public sector price.
Although we have never been able to reach accord, we will keep trying.
Bear in mind, the Copper-T-380A is an excellent and inexpensive
IUD. So after factoring in the costs of introducing a new method,
the advantages of Mirena would only justify USAID large-scale procurement
in the face of a very attractive price.
The "Pearls" offer answers to commonly asked questions about family planning. These "Pearls" are prepared by Dr. James D. Shelton, Senior Medical Scientist, Office of Population, United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
