In a report on village and household distribution of contraceptives, the extension of family planning services into the daily lives of the people of developing nations is described, and the major requirements for a successful program listed.  The history of contraceptive distribution from over-the-counter sales to clinic distribution and finally to the nonclinical distribution that requires less investment of medical time and skill is covered in an effort to show the changes and  growth toward meeting the needs of the people.  The components of a contraceptive distribution program, each of which can be adapted to suit the local situation are: personnel, training, contraceptive supplies, information and education, and evaluation.  These programs are closely linked to the life of the community, geographically convenient, culturally acceptable and designed especially to suit the convenience of the user.  Programs now in existance can be divided into 4 catagories: 1) subsidized sales (described in Costa Rica, Antigua, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Ghana, and Indonesia); 2) distribution through churches banks and other institutions  involved in the various aspects of the community (as described in the Philippines and the Allahabad Family Planning Project of India); 3) community or village distribution by residents serving as suppliers (as described in Colombia, Brazil,  Thailand and Mauritius); and 4) household distribution, or provision of contraceptives door-to-door to anyone interested (as described in Taiwan, Egypt, Korea, and the Peoples Republic of China).  Issues that have developed through this program along with attributes successful programs have in common are listed.  The organizations involved in the establishment and supervision of this program are listed.  A bibliography of 117 related articles is included.