Highly Commended
Proving that it's good to talk about contraceptive health
Summary of work
The contraception and sexual health community was fragmented and distracted, dealing with contentious issues such as abortion counselling. This project brought the community together, showing how pharmaceutical companies can act as a catalyst for change, delivering a public good that goes beyond the benefit of their products. The Advisory Group on Contraception (AGC) is the only group bringing together experts from across the contraceptive community. Brought together by Bayer, the company has an equal seat at the table with the AGC in a forum where intelligence is shared, emerging problems are identified and solutions are developed. The needs of women are the primary focus, rather than products and brands. The group is more than a talking shop – the AGC has successfully shaped national policy and changed local delivery of services, ensuring that the needs of women are not overlooked, whatever their age, circumstances or postcode.
Judges’ comments
This was a true equal partnership with clear intent on what it wanted to achieve. Bayer saw the need and supported it through real collaboration. What clearly came through was the mutual benefit and longevity of the relationship in an area that gets little attention. A very impactful entry with robust objectives and a clear outcome focus that bravely tackled sadly neglected issues and delivered change that really matters to women.
