CONDOM crisis hits THIS Muslim country, supply falls by 57 percent, Durex, Manforce cost Rs…, Oral pills available at…

New Delhi: Bankrupt Bangladesh is facing a major public health crisis, which many consider more severe than the country’s ongoing political instability. According to the reports, the stock of condoms is likely to run out in the coming days. Experts are of the opinion that this could massively affect the country’s family planning programme, putting decades of hard-earned progress at risk. This situation could persist for at least a month at the beginning of next year. It is important to note that the prices of both local and premium condom brands have begun to skyrocket.

In the last few years, the supply of contraceptive medicines in Bangladesh has declined. Now, a shortage of funds and a severe lack of staff have pushed the system to the brink. The Directorate General of Family Planning (DGFP) distributes five types of contraceptives free of cost across the country.

These include condoms, oral pills, IUDs (copper-T inserted in the uterus), injectables, and implants (rods placed under the skin). However, DGFP is now finding it difficult even to maintain adequate stocks of these medicines.

Abdur Razzak, Director of the DGFP’s Logistics and Supply Unit, has acknowledged the crisis. He said that a legal case related to the procurement of medicines is currently underway. Until this matter is resolved, it is not possible to purchase new supplies. He also admitted that the condom stock will be exhausted even before the legal issue is settled.

The problem is being further aggravated by a severe shortage of family planning workers. These workers are the backbone of Bangladesh’s contraceptive distribution system. DGFP Director General Asharfi Ahmed said that recruitment to key positions has been stalled due to legal hurdles.

Here are some of the key details:

• Over the past six years, the supply of condoms has fallen by 57 percent.
• Oral pills have declined by 63 percent, IUDs by 64 percent, injectables by 41 percent, and implants by 37 percent.
• As of 11 December 2025, the DGFP had stock left for only 39 days of condoms, 33 days of implants, and 45 days of IUDs.
• Stocks of oral pills and injectable medicines are sufficient for a few more months, officials warn that these supplies are also depleting rapidly.

According to some media reports, amid this shortage many medical stores are also taking advantage of the situation. Local and low-cost brands (such as Raja/Partner) have increased from 15–25 taka per packet to 30–50 taka. Premium brands (such as Durex/Manforce), which earlier cost 200–250 taka for a pack of three, are now being sold for 300–700 taka or even more.