Setting up Systems for Supply Chain Management
No product, no program: making sure that supplies reach PrEP sites
A supply chain is a system that moves a product or service from supplier to customer. To establish a supply chain for PrEP, you should determine the quantity of product you will need. Consider if the PrEP products can be sourced from multiple manufacturers. Multiple sources can bring down costs and ensure reliable supply. The supply chain landscape is dynamic—it’s important to track trends and developments at the global and national levels.
Secure product registration
Each manufacturer must register its PrEP product(s) for use in-country, or governments must provide a waiver for their use. Many of the drugs for oral PrEP are registered for treatment, but some countries require a separate registration or modification specifying an indication for prevention.
- EECO Product Registration Toolkit (Catalyst Global)
- HIV New Product Introduction Toolkit: Registration (CHAI)
Procure the product(s) you will be using
Countries will need to procure the PrEP products at the lowest possible cost, and select suppliers that ensure timely delivery of quality products. A good demand forecast, a fair bidding process and sufficient funding can contribute to successful procurement.
- Appropriate Medicines: Options for pre-exposure prophylaxis (WHO, 2018)
- WHO prequalification site
- USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program
- Managing Procurement (WHO, 2012)
Make a distribution plan for moving product to programs
A distribution plan outlines how to get oral PrEP from central storage facilities to prescribers who will in turn get them to users. Oral PrEP can be distributed together with ARVs where delivery channels already exist, but new delivery systems may need to be established to reach facilities that will only dispense oral PrEP but not ARVs.