Multiple Micronutrient Supplements Program for Pregnant Women
“One MMS a Day, Healthy Baby is on the Way”
With support from the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), SMC is implementing the world's largest market-based model for Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) in Bangladesh, branded as FullCare. This milestone marks the first locally produced MMS under pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in the country. The initiative aims to reduce low birth weight (LBW) babies by improving maternal nutrition.
|
Ingredients of FullCare |
Amount |
|
Vitamin A |
800 mcg RE |
|
Vitamin C |
70 mg |
|
Vitamin D |
5 mcg (200 IU) |
|
Vitamin E |
10 mg α-TE |
|
Vitamin B1 |
1.4 mg |
|
Vitamin B2 |
1.4 mg |
|
Vitamin B3 |
18 mg NE |
|
Vitamin B6 |
1.9 mg |
|
Folic acid |
680 mcg DFE (400 mcg) |
|
Vitamin B12 |
2.6 mcg |
|
Iron |
30 mg |
|
Iodine |
150 mcg |
|
Zinc |
15 mg |
|
Selenium |
65 mcg |
|
Copper |
2 mg |
The consortium partners of SMC are: GAIN for grants management, policy and advocacy, Sight and Life for technical backstop, and Renata Ltd. for manufacturing FullCare. Since its launch in July 2021, FullCare has been distributed nationwide through SMC's extensive sales forces and different Star
network providers- Pink Star (Obstetricians and Gynecologists), Blue Star (private non-graduate medical providers), Green Star (public health product sellers), and Gold Star Members (rural women entrepreneurs) as well as pharmacies. By June 2025, over 92 million FullCare tablets had been sold, with 60% sales in rural areas.
Basic Components of ANC Services
• Weight measurement
• Blood pressure measurement
• Urine test for albumin
• Blood test for sugar
• Counseling (i.e., high-risk pregnancy, institutional delivery, MMS and Calcium)
Integration of MMS in Antenatal Care (ANC) Services
A minimum of four ANC visits is essential for healthy pregnancy outcomes, yet ANC coverage has dropped from 46% (BDHS 2017- 2018) to 41% (BDHS 2022). The MMS rollout offers a timely opportunity to enhance both ANC attendance and nutrition supplement uptake. To address calcium deficiency during pregnancy is linked to prevent pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, and fetal development. MMS is complemented with SMC branded high-quality calcium supplement ‘Forbon'.
SMC has embedded ANC services across 136 sub-districts covering 28% of the country, delivered by Paramedics who integrate MMS seamlessly into routine pregnancy care. Approximately 3,900 Gold Star Members (GSM) conduct household visits and organize Ma Shomabesh (Mother Gatherings) to deepen community engagement for receiving health information and basic pregnancy care services. GSMs distribute MMS and calcium in the sessions and at the doorstep in the community. MMS and Calcium tablet sales sharply increased through GSMs after engaging Paramedics for ANC in the rural communities.
Since 72% of pregnant women seek ANC from private providers, SMC oriented its nationwide 18,000 non-graduate Star providers, 650 Pink Star providers and other members of the Obstetrical and Gynecological Society of Bangladesh (OGSB) to promote SMC branded MMS and Calcium. This coordinated effort of both outlet and community-based approach, has created opportunity to increase ANC attendance and FullCare uptake with Calcium for strengthening maternal nutrition and pregnancy outcomes nationwide.
