Pharmacy Proximity and Period Poverty: Assessing the Impact of Subsidized Menstrual Product Availability on Menstrual Management and Educational Outcomes

This study investigates the impact of providing subsidized sanitary napkins through a nationwide network of generic pharmacies on menstrual hygiene in India. We conduct a difference-in-differences analysis using administrative data, health and education surveys, village infrastructure surveys, and spatial API data. Our results show that subsidized sanitary napkin provision increases usage by 15\%, extends schooling years by 6\%, and improves learning outcomes by 2\%. We highlight the importance of waste management for transitioning from cloth to disposable products, the greater need for these products among women lacking privacy, and the lower adoption rates among women lacking travel autonomy. Moreover, proximity to healthcare or shopping facilities increases adoption, indicating spatial complementarities and emphasizing affordability over mere access.