Impact on Contraceptives due to Covid-19

COVID-19 lockdown has hindered the services and proper access to contraception which is slated to have an adverse impact on reproductive health indicators, maternal and infant mortality. Contraception is a method of preventing pregnancy using drugs or a device. The global contraceptive market was valued at $24,118.1 M in 2018 and estimated to reach > $38,500.5 M by 2025 with a CAGR of 6.9% from 2019-2025. 

CAGR- 2019-2025:

• US- 5.3%.
• India- 9.8%.

`Key factors for the increase in growth in India:

• Reducing unplanned pregnancies.
• Unmet contraceptive needs.
• Awareness program by government and NGO to promote contraceptives.
• Rising population and high prevalence of HIV.
• Awareness about the use of condoms.

The potential loss of sales and services on contraceptive in 2020 due to lockdown:

• 6.9 lacs sterilization service
• 9.7 lacs IUCDs
• 5.8 lacs doses of ICs
• 2.30 million crores of Oral contraceptive pills.
• 9.2 lacs of Emergency contraceptive pills.
• 40.5 Cr Condoms.

Which can further lead to 0.23 Cr of unintended pregnancies, 679,864 childbirths, 0.14 abortions, and 1,743 maternal deaths, if the disruption continues for longer. The overall impact on the FP program in 2020 is estimated to be -15% to -23% in terms of Couple Years of Protection compared to 2019.

Condom Market Size:

• Global- to reach US$ 15.1B by 2026 with CAGR of 8.5%.
• India- to reach US$ 508.36M by 2027 from US$ 183.46M in 2018 with a CAGR of 12.2%.

India is 1^st country around the world to a program for family planning. In 2018, Latex condoms held the highest market share of the Indian condom market, also expected to witness a significant growth rate during 2019-2027.

• The male condom had the largest market share in 2018 and is expected to dominate the market in 2027.
• The Indian government, in collaboration with HLL Lifecare, introduced the Nirodh brand of condoms intending to provide dual protection from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STI).

Lockdown effects on Condom Sales:

Sales of Condoms surged at 25-50% after the initial lockdown in March but saw a fall of 10-15% in sales over April. Contraceptives mainly the emergency morning-after pills also showed a decline in sales. 

So, does it mean people are being less intimate? No. then why the dip?

• Restrictions on public moment keeping couples from the chemists.
• Shutting down of facilities providing family planning services such as IUD.
• Disruption to contraceptive supply chains.

According to AIOCD, sales of Cipla’s I-pill and Mankind’s Unwanted 72 fell by 55% and 26% respectively in April.

• IUD produced by Bayer Zydus Pharma, HLL Lifecare, and Bharat Serum and Vaccine also saw a decline in sales.

World’s largest condom producer, Malaysia’s Karex Berhad which makes 1 in every 5 condoms globally was forced to close for a week and was only given permission to reopen at 50% capacity which led to global condom shortage.

Dunzo, Online delivery service app recorded their No.1 items delivered from Pharmacies between 1^st-31^st March 2020:

• Pregnancy Kit- Bangalore & Pune.
• Condoms- Mumbai.
• I-Pill- Hyderabad.
• Hand wash- Chennai and Jaipur.

Will we see exponential growth in the census, following this pandemic?