London,30 Nov(PTI) A new one dollar easy-to-use injectable contraceptive has been developed by researchers who plan to distribute it in 69 of the world’s poorest countries by 2020.
The special device, with a smaller needle and no traditional syringe, will be sold at just USD 1 a unit.
An agreement has been signed which will make contraceptive injections available to women in 69 of the world’s poorest countries, BBC News reported.
The deal has been reached between the Gates Foundation, the drug company Pfizer and the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation.
The technology has been previously used for giving hepatitis B jabs in Indonesia. Burkina Faso was the first country to use it for contraception.
Using the pre-packaged device, there is no need for health workers to prepare a syringe.
The drug is dispensed by simply squeezing a plastic bubble, giving users the protection they want for three months.
With the design called Uniject there is no risk of spillages or dosing errors, and because the device cannot be re-used, it cuts out the risk of infection due to needle-sharing.
The simplicity of the device means health workers can be trained more quickly too – a vital consideration for developing countries.
In early trials women reported less pain at the injection site than with conventional jabs.
