New Indian Made Male Contraceptive May Hit the Markets Soon

New Indian Made Male Contraceptive May Hit the Markets Soon

Contraception ensures that men and women practice safe sex. 

When we think of contraception, besides the condom, most options currently available in the market are aimed at women. And the burden of family planning often falls on women too.

But the scales might become balanced soon as a new, one-time, low-cost and Indian made male contraceptive, effectective for upto 13 years may hit the markets soon. Dr Guha, an emeritus of IIT Kharagpur, and his invention RISUG (Reversible inhibition of sperm under guidance).

Also Read: Condom Rap Is Here to Emphasise the Importance of Contraception

Dr Guha and his team at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have complted the requisite clinical trials of the "world’s first injectable male contraceptive," accordong to The Hindustan Times.

Dr Guha had spoken to FIT earlier on the life-changing effects on India's population this could have. He told us that RISUG is also localised, solving the problem of affecting the testosterone production in other parts of the body, that is a problem with other types of long-term male cotnraception.

RISUG now has been sent to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for approval, according to researchers involved in the project.

This project has been more than 40 years in the making, with Dr Guha developing the polymer for RISUG in the 1970s.

India Paves the Way

VG Somani, the drug controller general of India, told The Hindustan Times,

VG Somani, the drug controller general of India“It’s the first in the world from India so we have to be extra careful about approval. We are looking at all aspects, especially the good manufacturing practice (GMP) certification that won’t raise any questions about its quality.”

While countries like Germany and even the US have also tried to launch a male contraceptive, they are still in their developmental phases. RISUG is designed to be an effective replacement for vasectomies as they are effective and non-surgical (RISUG is injectible via a one-time shot).

ICMR's senior scientist RS Sharma told The Hindustan Times, "The trials are over, including extended, phase three clinical trials for which 303 candidates were recruited with 97.3 per cent success rate and no reported side-effects. The product can safely be called the world’s first male contraceptive."

Also Read: Bihar’s Contraception Paradox: 95% Women Are Aware, but 20% Use It