Strides, Incepta Strengthen Access to WHO-Approved Contraceptives

Strides Pharma Science Limited today 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 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.

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Commenting on the milestone, Aditya Kumar, Executive Director, Business Development said: “The collaboration with Incepta reflects our commitment to expanding access to safe, affordable and high-quality contraceptive medicines that help improve women’s lives. 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,” he added.

“We are proud to have achieved WHO prequalification for our DMPA-SC product,” said Abdul Muktadir, Chairman and Managing Director of Incepta Pharmaceuticals. “This accomplishment reflects our commitment to advancing public health and making essential medicines accessible to women across the world. We look forward to working with Strides to bring this product to market and improve reproductive health outcomes at scale.”

This milestone reflects Strides’ strategy of leveraging global collaborations, regulatory excellence, and its strong Africa presence to deliver impactful healthcare solutions. Women’s health remains a cornerstone of Strides’ branded generics portfolio, and the company continues to invest in partnerships that address pressing global health needs.