Beijing, China, 12 July 2017 -- Shanghai Dahua Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd. (Dahua), a subsidiary of Bright Foods Group Changjiang General Corp. Ltd, is pleased to announce that the World Health Organization (WHO) has prequalified Levoplant also known as Sino-implant (II)– a highly effective and high quality two-rod contraceptive implant – for three years of use. Dahua has manufactured two-rod implants since 1996 and more than 11 million units have been distributed globally. WHO Prequalification will now allow additional women worldwide to have access to this high quality, highly effectivelong-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) at affordable prices.


Photo shows Millicent Vuguza receiving a Levoplant device from Maureen Olaka at the Kariobangi North Health Center in Kariobangi, Nairobi, Kenya.

Voluntary family planning is a vital component of global health. Access to contraceptives results in fewer mothers dying in pregnancy and childbirth, fewer unintended pregnancies, fewer abortions, and fewer infant deaths. But more than 220 million women in developing countries lack access to safe and effective contraceptives. One of the barriers is a lack of sufficient supplies of appropriate, affordable products that meet their needs.

“We are delighted and honored to have achieved this important milestone.” said Mr. Bin Song, General Manager of Shanghai Dahua. “WHO Prequalification will allow us to further increase our reach and impact globally. As a company, we are committed to contribute to theFP2020 goal that targets to reach an additional 120 million women in low-resource settings with highly effective, high-quality and affordable contraceptive services by 2020.Shanghai Dahua is now the third WHO-prequalified LARC manufacturer, next to Merck (USA) and Bayer (Germany). 

Since 2007, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundationhas provided support to Dahua’s pursuit of WHO Prequalification through a project led by FHI 360. In November 2016, following the WHO Expert Review Panel process, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) signed a one-year Long-term Agreement (LTA) to procure with Dahua for purchasing Levoplant/Sino-implant (II) by its country programs.Now, WHO Prequalification of the product for three years of use will mean that additional donors can purchase the product for country programs.
 
To date, Sino-implant（II）has been sold under brand name Levoplant.More informationfor countries who are interested in introducing Levoplant can be found on Dahua’s website and in the K4Health Implants Toolkit.  

Levoplant