A U.S. initiative dedicated to empowering women in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to choose and access their preferred contraceptive method
CHARLESTON, S.C. (February 12, 2015) – Afaxys Pharmaceuticals, a division of Afaxys, Inc., is proud to announce a first-of-its-kind partnership with Project Ruby (PRJKT RUBY), an innovative online platform to bring affordable contraceptives to women in the United States and the developing world.
Today, PRJKT RUBY launched an initiative to support women in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean by providing financial support for one month of pregnancy protection for every month of protection purchased by a woman in the United States. Women can purchase their oral or emergency contraceptives at PRJKT RUBY’s online platform, and no health insurance is needed. For each month of oral contraceptives purchased through PRJKT RUBY at a cost of $20, Afaxys will make a donation to support access to contraception for women in the developing world via Population Services International (PSI), a nonprofit global health organization.
The linchpin of the PRJKT RUBY program is an initiative called Take1Give1 – here’s how it works:
- Take 1: A woman in the United States completes an online questionnaire at www.prjktruby.com to determine which birth control option is appropriate for her needs. A licensed physician in the United States reviews the questionnaire and completes the prescription for either an oral or emergency contraceptive, which is then shipped to her by a licensed U.S. pharmacy.
- Give 1: With support from Take1Give1, a woman in a partnering country chooses the contraceptive method of her choice through her local healthcare provider in a PSI-supported program with the costs or access subsidized by the PRJKT RUBY donation. Methods may include oral contraceptives, injectables, implants, IUDs or emergency contraceptives.
“Our collaboration with PRJKT RUBY is a perfect complement to Afaxys’ mission to serving women’s healthcare needs – whether in the United States or abroad,” said Ronda K. Dean, president and CEO of Afaxys. “The Take1Give1 initiative is an excellent opportunity to provide a woman in the developing world with resources similar to those many American women have.”
PSI will leverage support from Take1Give1 to improve access to women’s contraceptive method of choice in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. When women have the power to choose their method of contraception, they are more likely to use that method consistently.
Women who purchase contraceptives through the PRJKT RUBY online platform will be able to visually map the impact they are making – by cycle and country – by visiting www.prjktruby.com/how-it-works/changing-lives.
“We started this campaign with women’s healthcare needs in mind, and we wanted to revolutionize the way in which women have access to and receive their modern contraceptive method,” said Peter Ax, CEO of PRJKT RUBY. “Purchasing contraceptives through PRJKT RUBY in turn empowers a woman in the developing world with a choice and helps ensure access to her most basic healthcare needs – access that she otherwise would not have. We believe that investing in women’s health can spur long-term change and a more prosperous life for all.”
For more information about the program, and to stay up-to-date on the latest news, please visit www.prjktruby.com.
About Afaxys
Afaxys, Inc. is a mission driven, socially conscious business enterprise dedicated to serving the women’s healthcare needs of public health providers and their patients. An emerging leader in the public health sector, Afaxys manages the supply needs of public health providers, ensuring customers receive affordable, reliable access to the products and services they need to care for patients. Since 2005, Afaxys has operated a Group Purchasing Organization, which negotiates favorable pricing across a broad base of healthcare products and services so its customers have access to best-in-class suppliers and service providers. In 2013, Afaxys launched its pharmaceutical division, Afaxys Pharmaceuticals, bringing a strong portfolio of quality FDA-approved branded and generic oral contraceptives to the public health sector market. The Company has an expanding portfolio of quality FDA-approved pharmaceuticals, which are available exclusively through the public health sector including public health clinics, college and university health centers, community health centers, non-retail prescribers, as well as city, county, state and federal facilities, at prices intended to be consistently lower than those currently on the market. To learn more, visit www.afaxys.com.
About PRJKT RUBY, LLC
PRJKT RUBY makes a low-cost birth control option available to women in the United States through a convenient online platform – revolutionizing the way women order their oral contraceptives. It’s simple, safe, private – and totally meaningful. Each purchase of a cycle of birth control by a woman in the United States at PRJKT RUBY provides support to a woman in the developing world to purchase birth control. The movement aims to make birth control more accessible, empowering women worldwide. Learn more at www.prjktruby.com.
About Take1Give1
Take1Give1 is an initiative implemented by Take1Give1, Inc., a nonprofit organization created so those not in the market to purchase birth control can still make a difference by donating to the cause. Take1Give1, Inc. pledges support for current and future generations of women because investing in women yields long-term social and economic returns for all – an investment that can’t be overlooked.
About Population Services International
PSI is a nonprofit global health organization dedicated to improving the health of people in the developing world by focusing on serious challenges like a lack of family planning, HIV and AIDS, barriers to maternal health, and the greatest threats to children under five, including malaria, diarrhea, pneumonia and malnutrition. A hallmark of PSI is a commitment to the principle that health services and products are most effective when they are accompanied by robust communications and distribution efforts that help ensure wide acceptance and proper use. PSI works in partnership with local governments, ministries of health and local organizations to create health solutions that are built to last. Learn more at www.psi.org.
Afaxys Disclosure Notice
This press release was issued in the United States and is intended as reference information for U.S. journalists and customers. The information contained in this Afaxys press release is accurate at the time of issuance, and the company assumes no responsibility for updating forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent developments.
