FG, VIYA Health partner to boost family planning access

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has partnered with VIYA Health Nigeria and Incepta Pharmaceuticals Ltd to expand access to affordable and high-quality family planning solutions in Nigeria.

The collaboration was reinforced during a strategic engagement held on April 16, 2026, at the office of the Director of Family Health in Abuja, where stakeholders discussed efforts to improve access to modern contraceptive options across the country.

According to a statement issued by the partners, the meeting highlighted the growing role of private sector organisations in supporting Nigeria’s reproductive health goals.

The development follows the World Health Organization’s prequalification of a generic version of subcutaneous depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, also known as DMPA-SC, developed by Incepta Pharmaceuticals under the brand name Medogen SubQ.

The WHO approval, granted in October 2025, marked the first prequalification for a generic version of the self-inject contraceptive product and confirmed that it met global safety and effectiveness standards.

VIYA Health, which serves as Incepta’s exclusive representative for DMPA-SC in Nigeria, Ghana and other African markets, said the partnership would help improve access to affordable contraceptive options for women.

Representing the Director of Family Health at the ministry, Oyeniyi said Nigeria was targeting a 27 per cent Modern Contraceptive Prevalence Rate by 2030.

He noted that increased availability of DMPA-SC would support efforts to achieve the national target amid rising demand for family planning services.

Speaking on the initiative, Business Lead at VIYA Health, Billy Shoaga, said the partnership reflected the organisation’s commitment to helping women take control of their health.

According to him, the introduction of a WHO-prequalified generic DMPA-SC would break existing supply limitations, reduce costs and allow more women to access a discreet and convenient contraceptive option.

Shoaga explained that VIYA Health would work with federal and state ministries of health, healthcare providers and development partners to support the integration of DMPA-SC into existing family planning programmes.

He added that while Medogen SubQ would serve the public sector, VIYA’s Meuri-SubQ brand would be distributed within the private sector, noting that both products are WHO-prequalified DMPA-SC solutions.

According to him, the dual-brand strategy is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s family planning market and improve maternal and reproductive health outcomes.

Shoaga also reaffirmed the organisation’s readiness to collaborate with stakeholders across the health sector to ensure the availability of the products nationwide.