Health programs can only succeed when the supply chain delivers a reliable and continuous supply of affordable, high-quality medicines, and other essential commodities. Improved access and accountability for health commodities, and enhanced coordination among stakeholders along the supply chain from procurement to delivery to the consumer are critical. This involves quantifying commodity needs, demand-planning, procuring quality-assured health supplies, providing efficient transport and distribution solutions, leveraging third-party logistics providers, designing, optimizing and building capacity to manage supply chain systems, improving data visibility, and using IT solutions as appropriate.
It is necessary to strengthen in-country supply chains through comprehensive assessments, design and implementation of in-country supply chains (including logistics management information systems), development of supply chain strategies, capacity building in quantification and other supply chain activities, and warehouse management. The other key elements are committed national leadership, adequate financing and human resources, appropriate policies and regulations, and coordination among partners.