Strides Pharma to market Medogen SubQ in Africa to strengthen women healthcare

Bengaluru-based Strides Pharma Science has announced that one of its step-down wholly owned subsidiary will market the world’s first WHO-prequalified generic version of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) in Africa, strengthening women’s access to affordable, quality reproductive health solutions.

Developed by Bangaldesh-based Incepta Pharmaceuticals under the brand Medogen SubQ, and supported by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) and the Gates Foundation, the WHO prequalification marks a major breakthrough in reproductive health access. It diversifies supply of DMPA-SC, breaking the single-source bottleneck and helping health systems procure at more affordable prices.

DMPA-SC is a three-month contraceptive that can be administered by healthcare workers or self-injected after appropriate training. Its discretion, convenience, and empowerment potential make it a transformative choice for women, particularly in underserved low- and middle-income countries. With over 250 million women worldwide still lacking access to modern contraception, the availability of a WHO-prequalified generic option represents a significant step toward meeting this unmet need.

Commenting on the milestone, Aditya Kumar, Executive Director, Business Development, Strides said, “By bringing the WHO-prequalified product to Africa, we aim to expand choice and access for women, enabling them to take greater control of their reproductive health. With this collaboration, Strides expands its Women’s Health franchise in Africa, augmenting its existing portfolio of strong brands like Vitafer, L-Gest and many others. We are very excited to partner with Incepta to make available to a version of this easy-to-use, long -acting reversible contraceptive empowering women in the region to have greater control of their reproductive rights and choices.