| Abstract: | The report of the mission sponsored by UNDP, IBRD and WHO in 1970 to develop a comprehensive family planning program for Indonesia omits the important role that commercial distribution of contraceptives can and must play if the desired effect is to be achieved. The government should provide contraceptives to interested traders at low wholesale prices. Every encouragement should be extended to heighten competition in the commercial sector. These initiatives would serve 2 purposes: 1) bring down the current erratic and unreasonable cost of commercially distributed contraceptives and 2) have the benefit of spreading the family planning message by means of traders' competitive promotion. Until this plan can be implemented, import duties on commercial importation of contraceptives should be lifted. In addition, free distribution of contraceptives in government clinics should be introduce d. |
