Many communities in Uganda lack access to health facilities; this contributes to high unmet need for family planning (FP) (15.3%) in the country. Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) in Uganda necessitates expanding access to the full range of contraceptive methods. Given their proximity to communities, drug shops are poised to play a key role in expanding access to contraception at the community level to advance UHC. In March 2021, the USAID/Uganda Family Planning Activity (FPA, 2020-2025) began supporting 16 drug shops in three districts in Uganda to offer quality contraceptive information and counseling, a range of short-acting contraceptives, and referrals for long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) and permanent methods.

Between March 2021 and June 2022, use of these services steadily increased, with a total of 3,679 client visits (new and revisits) to drug shops for contraceptive services. The proportion of young adults accessing contraceptives via drug shops during this time frame steadily increased from 15% to 27%. Injectables were by far the most common method among all users, chosen in 85% of drug shop visits. The intervention’s success thus far demonstrates that drug shops are a viable channel for reaching new and underserved contraceptive clients.