• The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare partnered with VIYA Health Nigeria and Incepta Pharmaceuticals to improve access to family planning products in Nigeria
• The initiative focuses on expanding the availability of affordable and innovative contraceptives to support maternal and reproductive health goals
• Medogen SubQ, the first generic version of DMPA-SC developed by Incepta Pharmaceuticals, is at the centre of the partnership

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has partnered with VIYA Health Nigeria and Incepta Pharmaceuticals to widen access to affordable and high-quality family planning products across Nigeria.

The collaboration, unveiled after a strategic meeting at the Office of the Director of Family Health in Abuja on April 16, 2026, is aimed at improving the availability of innovative contraceptive solutions in line with Nigeria’s maternal and reproductive health targets.

Central to the initiative is Medogen SubQ, the first generic version of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA-SC) developed by Incepta Pharmaceuticals.

The contraceptive received prequalification from the World Health Organization in October 2025, confirming that it meets international standards for safety, quality and effectiveness.

The WHO approval was supported by the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation and the Gates Foundation.

VIYA Health, a women-focused healthcare company offering digital care services and medical products, is the sole representative for the DMPA-SC product in Nigeria, Ghana and other African markets.

Speaking during the engagement, Dr. Samuel Oyeniyi, who represented the Director of Family Health at the ministry, said the Federal Government is targeting a 27 percent Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate by 2030.

He noted that rising demand for DMPA-SC and ongoing support from development partners could help Nigeria achieve that target.

“Given the extensive work already undertaken by partners and the growing demand for DMPA-SC, the product is expected to make a significant contribution toward meeting this national goal,” he said.

Business Lead at VIYA Health, Pharm. Billy Shoaga, described the partnership as part of the company’s commitment to improving healthcare access for women.

According to him, the introduction of a WHO-prequalified generic DMPA-SC would address the long-standing challenge of single-source supply while making contraceptive options more affordable and accessible.

“The introduction of a WHO-prequalified generic DMPA-SC breaks the long-standing single-source supply bottleneck, improves affordability, and enables millions more women to access a discreet, convenient contraceptive option they can use independently,” Shoaga said.

He added that the organisation is also working with federal and state health ministries, healthcare providers and development partners to strengthen awareness, training and integration of DMPA-SC into existing family planning programmes nationwide.

Shoaga explained that Medogen SubQ would be distributed within the public sector, while Meuri-SubQ, VIYA Health’s private-sector brand, would cater to private healthcare providers and consumers.

He said both products are based on the same WHO-prequalified DMPA-SC and are part of a dual-brand strategy designed to strengthen Nigeria’s family planning market and improve confidence among stakeholders.

“This dual-brand strategy is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s family planning market, build stakeholder confidence, and support national efforts to improve maternal and reproductive health indicators,” he added.

The partnership is part of broader efforts to improve reproductive healthcare access and reduce maternal health risks across Nigeria.

FG confirms arrival of twice-yearly HIV prevention injection Lenacapavir

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had confirmed the arrival of Lenacapavir, a long-acting injectable drug designed to prevent HIV infection, marking a major step in Nigeria’s HIV prevention strategy.

The National Coordinator of the National HIV, Viral Hepatitis and STDs Control Programme (NASCP) under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Adebobola Bashorun, said the arrival of the injection demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to adopting innovative and evidence-based interventions aimed at controlling the spread of HIV.