The Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition points out the true costs of destroying US$9.7 billion life-saving contraceptives: 174,000 unintended pregnancies, 69,000 unplanned births, 56,000 unsafe abortions, and 300 preventable maternal deaths.
Officials have cited cost, logistics and branding concerns to justify destroying the $9.7 million in commodities. But these commodities are still within shelf-life. Countries still want and need them. Multiple NGOs have offered to pay for transport, re-labelling, and distribution to get these supplies to people who need them. And they can still save lives.
SOURCE: Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition. RH Alert. The true costs behind destroying $9.7M of contraceptives. E-mail: 29 July 2025.