There are many drugs available on the market to prevent bleeding after giving birth (postpartum haemorrhage). However, current products are poorly suited to transportation, storage or administration in resource-poor countries. The drug of choice for treatment of postpartum haemorrhage is oxytocin, which is given via injection. This presents complications in developing countries, where it is often not possible to provide sterile equipment, clean water or trained medical personnel during childbirth. Also, the current injectable formulation needs electricity for refrigerated (cold-chain storage) conditions to prevent drug degradation and hence maintain drug efficacy.