Ensuring the availability of quality-assured oxytocin at all assisted births is crucial to save women’s lives. The World Health Organization, United Nations Children’s Fund and the United Nations Population Fund, in consultation with partners, have released a joint recommendation on the appropriate storage and management of oxytocin, a key commodity for maternal health. The statement outlines recommendations resulting from an exhaustive review of current evidence around oxytocin, which finds that poor quality oxytocin is circulating in many countries. Oxytocin is the first choice uterotonic for preventing and treating postpartum haemorrhage, according to WHO Recommendations for the prevention and treatment of postpartum haemorrhage.
