Contraception where and when you need it
For many people around the world, their first stop for reproductive healthcare will be a pharmacy or other store. They might be looking for a pack of condoms, birth control pills, or abortion medication, depending on what’s available over the counter in their country. And if the product they need is poor quality or out of stock, they lose the chance to control their own bodies and futures
We’re working to fix that. MSI sells quality contraception products in pharmacies, private hospitals, and other commercial outlets in countries around the world—and we’re innovating with new tools that expand access and ensure the products people need will be there when they need them.
Why commercial sales?
For over 45 years, MSI has trusted and supported women to make their own decisions about their bodies and reproductive health. As healthcare providers, we aim to support clients to make the reproductive choices that are right for them, even if they never set foot in one of our centers.
For many people, the most convenient option is to pick up one of our quality contraceptive products from their local pharmacy. That was true for Viola, a client from Accra, Ghana. She went to the pharmacy for emergency contraception when she needed it before ultimately opting for a longer-term method. She told us that being able to get the contraception discretely at her local pharmacy was important to her. “There’s a lot of stigma. If you say you use contraception, most people in the community frown on it.”
When they need information or advice about how to use these products safely, clients can call or message our contact centers to speak to us confidentially. Natalie, a call center agent in Ghana, says that the call center is a vital resource for people who can’t make it to a center in person. “The number of calls has increased, especially from those who want to access our services but are not comfortable visiting clinics for fear of being judged by people seeing them walk in. Our contact center is a safe haven. Our clients can get the same high-quality service from the comfort of their home.”
By expanding access to self-care methods, we can support women to manage their health on their terms. When they buy an MSI product, they can feel confident that they’re getting a quality-assured contraceptive—and that if they need support, they know where to turn.
How are we innovating to expand access?
One recent innovation in MSI’s commercial sales program is a digital tool called SORT2. SORT stands for “Sales Optimization, Reporting and Tracking,” and it’s a one-stop shop for our team to monitor where and how we sell our products.
With a real-time dashboard and easy-to-use app, SORT2 allows sales representatives to track their activities, see what’s working and what isn’t, and improve performance. The software gives us a birds-eye view of what products are selling, which vendors need a restock, and even competitor information. Having up-to-date information at every team member’s fingertips helps us get high-quality products into women’s hands when they want them, at the locations that are convenient to them.
How does MSI’s social business expand access?
As a social business, MSI generates about half our income by selling health products and services. That’s money that we can then invest in bringing reproductive healthcare to people who can’t afford to pay.
Innovations like SORT2 don’t just help us sell more condoms and birth control pills. They allow us to generate income that expands access to life-changing healthcare for women and girls with few other options.
In the face of cuts to foreign aid from countries like the US and UK, this work is more important than ever. We can make high-quality, safe contraception available and convenient while also supporting outreach to communities where these services would otherwise be unavailable. By combining our social business model with generous donor support, we’re continuing to work towards a world where everyone who wants contraception can access it.
