Abstract
This paper provides the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC) with an overview of Market Development Approaches (MDAs) and an analysis of lessons learned with key gaps and priorities identified. More broadly, this document is a tool for donors, Governments and implementers to learn about MDAs and begin thinking of options and issues to encourage, design, implement, manage and evaluate MDAs. Complementing the document is a web-based guide, which provides overview text and links to key documents, examples, tools and other resources. The lens through which market development approaches are viewed in this paper is primarily through the supply chain, given that the RHSC goal addressed by the MDA Working Group (WG) is “to improve access to and choice of RH supplies for low and moderate income consumers through public, private, and commercial sectors.” While market development approaches can include a range of commercial approaches, the emphasis in this paper is on MDAs that have received public funding, rather than purely commercial models, as the team was asked to speak with donors and NGOs rather than the commercial sector. Consultations with the private sector would have been especially useful to understand what products are actually available in developing country markets; the team encourages the MDA WG to consider further analysis of product availability at the country level.
