Condoms last for a long time but you should always check the expiration date printed on the wrapper or box. Open condoms carefully so you don’t damage them, don’t use your teeth or scissors.

Yes. Condoms are very effective in preventing HIV and many other STDs when used the right way every time. Condoms may prevent the spread of other STDs like Human Papillomavirus (HPV, genital or venereal warts) or genital herpes, only when the condom covers the infected areas or sores.

All SMC’s condoms adhere to quality assurance. These include electronic testing, water leak test, air burst test and strength test.

No, reuse of any condom is not recommended. A new condom should be used every time you have intercourse.

Injectable contraceptive is for women and it can can protect couples from pregnancy for upto three months. It is a progestin-based (DMPA) short term reversible contraceptive known as Depo-Provera. It is widely available in Bangladesh both from the public and the private sector.

Contraceptive Injections (DMPA) has many advantages. Being a progestin only method, it can be safely used by lactating mothers and also by estrogen contra indicated women. It can be used immediately after delivery and within seven days after miscarriage or abortion. The injection prevents the risk of developing uterine tumors. It is reversible and protects pregnancy for up to three months.

SOMA-JECT is an SMC brand injectable contraceptive. It is Depo Medroxy Progesterone Acetate (DMPA) and it contains 150 mg progesterone in a 1 ml vial. It is administered through intramuscular route. It is 99.7% effective if taken properly (right dose and right schedule).

It is available at trained providers under SMC Blue Star Program. One can find their private chamber by looking at the branded Blue Star signboard in front of their shop

An IUD or intrauterine device is a long-acting reversible form of birth control that is highly effective (over 99%). It is a small “T” shaped device that is placed in uterus to help prevent pregnancy. It is hassle-free as no daily attention is required.

‘Relax’ is an SMC branded intrauterine device (IUD) that can provide long-term birth control. Relax is a small, T-shaped, copper-based device of the type IUD TCu 380A which is safe, effective for 10 years and completely reversible upon removal.

Relax IUD is not available in market or pharmacies; it is only available with trained doctors and some selected hospitals under SMC’s Pink Star program. Pink Star is a network of privately practicing graduate doctors who promote and provide long acting reversible contraceptives from their private facility. In addition, they are also offering family planning injectable (SOMA JECT – 3 months protection). One can call 16387 (SMC tele-counseling center) to find any doctor.

IUDs are also available at government hospitals, FP centers and some NGO clinics.

• Offers long-term contraception up to 10 years after insertion
• Effective immediately after insertion
• Fertility returns just after removal
• Non-hormonal so no chance of hormonal side effects
• Safe for lactating mothers
• Can be inserted in post partum (NVD and CS) period
• Can be used more than once and inserted following removal of the previous one (if desired)

Diarrhoea is the passage of loose or watery stools, usually at least three times in a 24-hour period. However, it is the consistency of the stools rather than the number that is most important.

Four clinical types of diarrhoea can be recognized:

*  Acute watery diarrhoea (including cholera): This lasts several hours or days, the main danger is dehydration, weight loss also occurs if feeding is not continued.

*  Acute bloody diarrhoea: This is also called dysentery, the main dangers are intestinal damage, sepsis and malnutrition; other complications, including dehydration, may also occur.

*  Persistent diarrhoea: This lasts 14 days or longer, the main danger is malnutrition and serious non-intestinal infection; dehydration may also occur.

*  Diarrhoea with severe malnutrition: the main dangers are severe systemic infection, dehydration, heart failure and vitamin and mineral deficiency.

During diarrhoea there is an increased loss of water and electrolytes (sodium, chloride, potassium, and bicarbonate) in the liquid stool. Water and electrolytes are also lost through vomit, sweat, urine and breathing. Dehydration occurs when these losses are not replaced adequately and a deficit of water and electrolytes develops.

The volume of fluid lost through the stools in 24 hours can vary from 5 ml/kg (near normal) to 200 ml/kg, or more. The concentrations and amounts of electrolytes lost also vary. The total body sodium deficit in young children with severe dehydration due to diarrhoea is usually about 70-110 millimoles per litre of water deficit. Potassium and chloride losses are in a similar range. Deficits of this magnitude can occur with acute diarrhoea of any aetiology.

Two main dangers of diarrhoea are death and malnutrition. Death from acute diarrhoea is most often caused by loss of a large amount of water and salt from the body. This loss is called dehydration. Dysentery is another important cause of death related to diarrhoea. Diarrhoea is worse in children with malnutrition. Diarrhoea can cause malnutrition and can make it worse because:

- Nutrients are lost from the body in diarrhoea,
- It may develop loss of appetite
- Mothers may not feed children during diarrhoea, or even for some days after the diarrhoea is better.

To reduce this malnutrition, additional foods should be given to children as soon as dehydration has been corrected.

"SMC Fruity" is a Flavored Oral Saline. It is an Orange flavored instant tasty and healthy solution for any dehydration caused by excessive sweating. With refreshing fruit flavor, it helps to recover the lost fluid from the body.

 SMC Fruity provides instant solution for any kind of dehydration due to excessive sweating.

SMC Fruity is available in Orange Flavor.

MRP of a single sachet of SMC Fruity containing 10gm powder is BDT 7.00

Iron is an essential micronutrient for the body. It is a component of body systems that are involved in the utilization of oxygen. It forms part of hemoglobin, the red pigment in blood, which allows oxygen to be carried from the lungs to the tissues.

- Iron transports and stores oxygen in human body.
- Supports proper physical and mental growth of children.
- Aids in energy production and cell diffusion in human body.
- Helps the immune and central nervous systems.

Iron absorption refers to the amount of dietary iron one obtains from the food s/he eats. Healthy adults absorb about 15% of the iron in their diet.

Vitamin C helps the body to absorb iron. The actual amount of iron a body absorbs depends on the amount of iron already stored in the body. When the body has low amounts of iron stored, it will absorb more iron from the foods eaten. When the body has a large amount of iron stored, the amount of iron it absorbs will decrease.

Iron Deficiency Anemia is a common condition that occurs when there is not enough iron in the body. It is the most common type of anemia. A lack of iron in the body can come from not eating enough foods that contain iron, bleeding, or not absorbing enough iron from food that is eaten.

The term anemia is used for a group of conditions in which the number of red blood cells in the blood is lower than normal, or the red blood cells do not have enough hemoglobin. Hemoglobin — an iron-rich protein that gives the red color to blood — carries the oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body.

Children need to absorb an average of 1 mg per day of iron to keep up with the needs of their growing bodies. Since children only absorb about 10% of the iron they eat, most children need to ingest 8-10 mg of iron per day. Breast-fed babies need less, because iron is absorbed 3 times better when it is in breast milk.

A common time for iron deficiency is between 6 and 24 months of age. The adolescent growth spurt is another high-risk period.

Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) is a nutritional supplement for use during pregnancy based on United Nations International Multiple Micronutrient Antenatal Preparation (UNIMMAP) formulation following WHO specification. It contains 15 micronutrients including iron and folic acid at dosages that approximate the recommended dietary allowances for pregnancy.

SMC's FullCare is a UNIMMAP Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) tablet required during pregnancy due to the increased nutritional need of a mother and the growing foetus, even if the mother has access to a sufficient diet. It aids healthy functioning of her body and helps to avoid her baby from being born with low birth weight, too soon and too small, as well as other long-term implications on the health of the child. Moreover, FullCare prevents anemia, a condition when the body does not produce enough red blood cells. It contains 15 of essential vitamins and minerals and is like an insurance against any potential deficiencies in your daily diet. It is the first-ever product in the Bangladeshi market that has been clinically proven to reduce low birth weight babies and prevent babies from being born too soon or too small.

Starting from conception, the first 1,000 days of your baby's life are critical from the point of view of nutrition. FullCare is required when your diet is not sufficient to provide you with the daily nutrient intake especially when you are pregnant. It aids healthy functioning of your body and helps to avoid your baby from being born with low birth weight, too soon and too small, as well as other long-term implications on the health of the child. Moreover, FullCare prevents anemia, a condition when your body does not make enough red blood cells.

The recommend dose of FullCare is 1 Tablet per day after a meal with same interval for a minimum of six months (180 days).

Zinc is classified as an essential mineral. It is essential to over 180 biologic functions. Many foods rich in trace minerals contain zinc, with the highest amounts in meat products. Lesser amounts are found in milk, spinach, nuts, oats, rice and beans.

Many experts say that zinc deficiency is widespread. People living in poverty with diets low in zinc, especially children below five years of age, need zinc the most. Deficiencies result in poor wound healing because of zinc's role in cellular repair. Zinc deficiency also leads to slower growth. Most importantly, children with low levels of zinc are at increased risk for infection, severe infections and death.

Zinc is prescribed to treat and prevent diarrhea for children < 5 years of age.

Yes, zinc and ORS can be given at the same time when a child has diarrhea. Zinc is given once a day. Give the zinc at a time of day that is easy for you to remember and repeat every day for 10-14 days. ORS needs to be given throughout the day only as long as your child has loose or watery stools, but zinc should be given for the entire 10 to 14 days.

Electrolyte Drinks are beverages that contain water, carbohydrates and electrolyte minerals. The main purpose of Electrolyte Drinks is to help rehydrate.

There is no specific time for taking Electrolyte Drinks. Usually Electrolyte drinks are taken after work out or sport activity to rehydrate and maintain the balance of water in the body.

There is no such limit. How much Electrolyte Drink can be taken in a day depends on the activity level of a particular person, health condition and climate.

SMC Plus is the first ever Electrolyte Drink of Bangladesh. Currently, there are a few other competitors as well.

Glucose is a type of simple sugar that gets easily absorbed by the body.

As Glucose is a simplest form of sugar which is easily absorbed by the blood whereas other carbohydrates are first broken down into Glucose and then absorbed. Hence, Glucose gives instant energy.

Anyone can take Glucose unless he/she is not allowed to take it for medical reason.

There is no prescribed form of Glucose for instant energy.

Use a calendar to keep track of your menstrual cycle. Mark each of the days of your period with an X. Calculate the length of your cycle by counting the days from the first day of bleeding in one period to the first day of bleeding in the next period. In addition to noting the days of your period, it is helpful to make notes about the flow, any pain that is felt, and changes in mood or behavior.

The presence of menstrual irregularities can be a sign of other health problems such as Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), Endometriosis, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), Polyps, and Uterine fibroids. If left untreated, menstrual irregularities can lead to other conditions. These possible conditions vary depending on the type of menstrual irregularity and include endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the endometrium), low bone density, and iron-deficient anemia. It is important for a woman with a menstrual irregularity to consult to a doctor to determine the cause of the irregularity and to receive appropriate treatment as necessary.

According to studies conducted by the World Health Organization, the hygiene of female sanitary products is especially important to a woman, as the pelvis, uterus, vagina of a women’s body are all inter-connected, thus it increases the chances of bacterial infection if sanitary napkins of low hygiene standards or unhygienic clothes were used during the menstruation period.

Menstruation flow and secretion are highly prone to growth of bacteria; therefore sanitary napkins should be changed on a regular basis. It is strongly advised that a new napkin is used every 3-4 hours during the menstruation period.

Smile baby diapers are made from ingredients that are thoroughly tested and proven to be safe. The ingredients we use are common in most diapers and are used safely by millions of babies around the world every day.

Unfortunately, diaper rash is quite common. More than half of babies between the ages of 4 months and 15 months develop diaper rash, and nearly all babies will get at least one diaper rash before they are potty trained. Changing the diaper promptly after it becomes wet or soiled is the best way to prevent diaper rash.

Because babies come in all different shapes and sizes, diapers fit babies differently. Our diaper system was designed to achieve the highest level of leak protection. We measure thousands of babies' legs, bottoms, and waists to try to get a good fit that helps contain leaks. Sometimes leaks happen because the leg cuff or waist is a bit folded. Running your finger around the waist band and cuffs sometimes helps to ensure a better fit. Another reason for leaks is if there isn't enough absorbent material for baby’s urine output. If your baby is close to the upper end of the weight range of the diaper you are currently using, you may want to try the next size up diaper as there is more absorbent material in the larger diapers.

Newborns: Newborn babies require changing often, especially if they are breastfed. Our recommendation is every 3-4 hours during the day. 

Older Babies: As babies get older, they gain in bladder control. They tend to wet less often, in higher volume. We recommend that you change your baby's diaper every 6-8 hours.

However, Smile baby diaper can give a complete protection for 12 hours which will give the baby a good night’s sleep.

"Super Kid" is a lentil based ready to eat creamy confectionery which is fortified with 24 vital vitamins and minerals that growing children need. This fortified Snack is liquid healthy and tasty.

Super Kid confectionery is called fortified because it consists of 24 vitamins and minerals.

Super Kid Fortified Confectionery is available in two variants - Badam Chocolate and DudhMalai.

• Only one sachet provides up to 27% (of RDI) of the necessary vitamins and minerals
• Excellent & affordable source of energy & micronutrients
• Instant hunger solution
• Reduces habit of eating unhealthy food
• Helps kid grow stronger and more intelligent
• Boosts immunity

Deworming refers to giving an anthelmintic drug to a human or animal to get rid of helminths parasites. Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections caused by a group of parasites commonly known as intestinal worms, are among the most common infections in humans. To get protected against soil-transmitted helminthes infection, WHO recommended deworming, using biannual a single-dose albendazole (400 mg) as a public health intervention.

"Vermicid" is SMC branded Albendazole (400 mg) tablet that protects against Soil Transmitted Helminthes (STH) infection. Vermicid is a chewable tablet that contains Albendazole USP 400 mg per tablet. It is used in the treatment of intestinal nematode infections and in higher doses in the treatment of hydatid disease. Albendazole exhibits vermicidal, ovicidal, and larvicidal activities. The principal mode of action of Albendazole is its inhibitory effect on tubulin polymerization, which results in the loss of cytoplasmic microtubules.

Deworming helps children to have a Better Growth. It also reduces work capacity, productivity of adults and increases maternal and fetal morbidity. Because:

• Infestations are common even in homes with good hygiene, and symptoms may not be obvious.
• Children are most vulnerable, but anyone is susceptible to worm infestation. Adults are just as prone as kids to get infected by parasites.
• Worm eggs can be found everywhere from contaminated soil, food, water, utensils and surfaces, to human and animal faeces, toilet seats, door handles.
• The medication will kill any adult worms in the digestive system, but not the eggs, which is why you need to repeat the deworming every six months.

• Age 12 to 24 months: 200 mg. as a single dose (half of Vermicid tablet).
• Adults & children (over two years of children): 400 mg. (one Vermicid tablet) as a single dose.
• In cases of strongyloidiasis or taeniasis, 400 mg. (one Vermicid tablet) as a single dose should be given for three consecutive days. Giardiasis: 400 mg. (one Vermicid tablet) once daily for five days.
• In hydatid disease (Echinococcosis): In the treatment of echinococcosis, Albendazole (Vermicid) is given by mouth with meals in a dose of 400 mg. twice daily for 28 days for patients weighing over 60 kg. A dose of 15 mg/kg body weight daily in two divided doses (to a maximum total daily dose of 800 mg) is used for patients weighing less than 60 kg. For cystic echinococcosis the 28- days course may be repeated after 14 days without treatment to a total of three treatment cycles. For alveolar echinococcosis, cycles of 28 days of treatment followed by 14 days without treatment may need to continue for months or years. When three courses of therapy have been given in the pre or post surgical setting, optimal killing of cyst contents is achieved.