Platform News Bulletin
1. New way to authenticate drugs: mPedigree
A new way of authenticating drugs via mobile technology was recently introduced: mPedigree.
If you have trouble reading above picture, please download the document. It can be downloaded by clicking on the picture, or here. It can also be found in the download section, under 'Distribution'.
2. Poll: do you think the mPedigree solution can work?
We have introduced a poll in order to get your opinion on this newly introduced tool.
3. AA4A Symposium documents & discussion space
The program and presentation files of the presentations of the 'Access to Health Care in Africa' symposium in Cape Town have been added to the download section. They can be found there under the name of the symposium.
The presentations can also be downloaded from the forum; as mentioned in an earlier edition of this newsletter, a separate symposium discussion space has been created on the platform. You can find a topic there with the program and links to the presentations.
Furthermore the symposium participants have been added to the mailing list of the platform. Some of them were already members. A warm welcome to all new members!!
4. Training announcement
AA4A announces their 'Supply Chain Management of HIV/AIDS Medicines and Supplies', to be given 06-17 October 2008 in Pretoria, South Africa.
Please see below for more information. If you have trouble reading the text in below picture, please download the pdf by clicking here, or on the picture. The document can also be found in the download section, under 'Training'.
Platform News Bulletin
1. AA4A Symposium documents & discussion space
After the announcement of the 'Access to Health Care in Africa' symposium in Cape Town we received some requests if the organisers of the symposium (AA4A) would be willing to share the outcomes of the meeting on this platform. We are happy to announce that the presentations will be added to the download section soon.
Furthermore the symposium participants will be invited to become members of the platform. A separate discussion space has been created on the platform for them.
As soon as the presentations have been added this will be communicated to all platform members.
2. Open questions
Even though many people visit the platform website, contributions to the forum are somewhat scarce so it often takes some time before questions are answered. Therefore we would like to draw your attention to some questions. Please have a look and see if we can help each other out!
- There's a question on modern forecasting techniques by Lameck Kipilyango under 'Procurement and Quantification' >> 'Forecasting methods'
- Clarisse's question on experiences with solar powered cold chain equipment is still unanswered (see 'Warehousing' >> 'Stores and inventory management').
- Two questions from Assefa Gashaw on procurement monitoring are also open ('Procurement Management' >> 'Procurement (general)' >> 'Procurement Monitoring').
- Dr. Vijay Thawani of the Network for Rational Use of Medicines (NetRUM) would like to have access to Antimicrobial policy examples, see 'Selection' >> 'Product selection'.
3. New download
A new download was added to the download section: part 6 of the series of HIV-AIDS guidelines, on Supply Chain Management of Antiretroviral drugs (pdf, zipped, 306 KB). Click on the link to downlaod the file. The file can also be found in the download section, under 'General'.
4. Roll Back Malaria - Share your thoughts on the Global Malaria Business Plan
As you may be aware, the RBM Partnership is currently developing a Global Malaria Business Plan. Many people working in the field have already been involved in this. However, the Partnership wants to ensure that everyone in the RBM community has the opportunity to share their input before the plan is launched at the end of September. There are two ways for you to be involved:
I - Comment on the new Interactive GMBP website by June 25th
An interactive website has been created where you can access the plan in Word or HTML, share your comments and read the suggestions of others.
Website address: https://sharepoint.who.int/sites/rbm/gmbp/
Please contact gmbpcomments@who.int for information on how to access the site.
II - Join a Discussion Forum with Dr. Coll-Seck on June 10th or 18th
Dr. Coll-Seck will be hosting two Discussion Forums via teleconference. The purpose of the Discussion Forums is to provide an open venue for members of the RBM Partnership to share their feedback on the GMBP. The dates for the Discussion Forums are:
- June 10 from 4:30 - 5:30 pm CET
- June 18 from 4:30 - 5:30 pm CET
Dial-in details for the open Discussion Forum teleconferences:
- Primary dial-in number: +1 508 305 4770 [see other dial-in numbers on http://www.rollbackmalaria.org/gmbp.html]
- Login (Meeting ID): 1000
- Please try to connect through the provided numbers. If none of these numbers are suitable for you, please email gmbpcomments@who.int and provide your name, organization, country, number where you can be called to join the teleconference as well as the date of the teleconference you will attend. Please put your phone in mute to avoid any background noise.
Note: Contributions in French:
Contributions and comments in French are welcomed. Study the document in English and provide input in French. The final draft of the plan will be translated into French.
5. Launch of the IHP+ Website
The International Health Partnership and related initiatives (IHP+) announced the launch of their website: http://www.internationalhealthpartnership.net.
Together with the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Bank is coordinating the IHP+ which also includes partner countries, H-8 agencies, bilateral donors, and civil society and private sector partners. The IHP+ was launched in London last September and represents a new way of doing development work for all concerned, so check out their website. If you have any suggestions for ways to improve the site, please contact the web manager, Darren Douglas, at douglasd@who.int.
6. Forgot your password?
Over the past time several people have registered themselves for the second or even third time, possibly because they forgot their password. In case you forget your password it is not necessary to register again; please just send an e-mail to info@idasolutionsdplatform.org or call +31 348 489 636.
Platform News Bulletin
1. Symposium Announcement
ARV Access for Africa (AA4A) announces a symposium:
Access to Health Care in Africa
- changing the paradigm for access and quality -
April 16-18, 2008 -- Cape Town, South Africa
The symposium is aimed at examining and solving some of the current challenges to the reliable supply, quality of care and effective use of HIV/AIDS and related medicines and diagnostics, and capacity development.
Click here to download the brochure with full details and the program.
Email AA4A for more information or to register: info@aa4a.co.za
2. PSM Toolbox
As posted by Clarisse on the forum (see 'Information Management' >> 'Drug Management Information Systems'):
'WHO/AMDS and its partner organizations initiated the development of a unique PSM Toolbox website for HIV-related health commodities (http://www.psmtoolbox.org/). The PSM Toolbox website features a user-friendly search engine, regularly updated contents, a forum to share tool use experiences and more. In addition, an offline version of the PSM Toolbox is available on CD-ROM free of charge. For more information please visit the site: http://www.psmtoolbox.org/ or contact Clarisse Morris at cmorris@idasolutions.org '
3. AA4A Course registration
ARV Access for Africa (AA4A, www.aa4a.co.za ) are proud to announce that their training course was accredited by the South African Pharmacy Council on 25 October 2007. With the accreditation by The South African Pharmacy Council “ARV Access for Africa” becomes one of a prestige small group of “Provider of Courses” in South Africa.
Participants will receive a certificate on competency and attendance after completion of the course. The accreditation will also contribute to participant attendance in South Africa and the Region as an incentive.
ARV Access for Africa, situated in Pretoria, South Africa, was created to manage the three synergistic components namely: ARV buffer stock, provision of training in Supply Chain Management of HIV & AIDS medicines and supplies and provision of Capacity Building to national drug supply organisations in developing countries. The training component, providing training in “Supply Chain Management of HIV & AIDS Medicines and Supplies” is fully established and being undertaken in Pretoria, South Africa.
4. RFID e-learning
As posted by SomPrakesh on the forum (see 'Training' >> 'Training discussions'):
'With the objective of providing highly learning experience with cost-effective RFID [Radio Frequency Identification -RB] courses at your desktop, RFID4U – A World wide leader in RFID learning solutions offers spectrum of RFID e-Learning courses which split into separate series like CompTIA RFID certification modules, RFID courses and vendor based RFID product courses. RFID4U self paced training is convenient, effective, and affordable way to enhance training, stretch resources and acquire practical skills.
Regardless of your type of organization, skill levels, or learning styles; RFID4U e-Learning can provide access to RFID training—anytime and anywhere—provide rich learning content and flexible options for content delivery to address your specific business needs.
Learners can assess their knowledge before and after training, as well as track their progress and save their learning history, which makes it easier to incorporate learning into individual schedules.
You can view our full range of online courses and sign up here
http://www.rfid4u.com/services/freeelearning.asp for Free basic RFID and RFID UID/DOD courses.'
5. New download
A new downoad was added to the download section: part 5 of the series of HIV-AIDS guidelines, on assessing supply chains for HIV/AIDS commodities (pdf, zipped, 256 KB). Click on the link to download the file. The file can also be found in the Download section, under 'General'.
6. Supply shortages
I was recently contacted via the SCM Discussion Platform website regarding a shortage of ARVs. Further to that I would like to encourage everyone to use the Platform (e.g. by creating a post on the forum or by contacting me directly via info@idasolutionsdplatform.org) to ask for assistance in case of supply shortages so we can help each other out.
7. Vacancies
IDA Solutions has some vacancies, please check the website: http://www.idasolutions.org
Platform News Bulletin
Recently the 2008 Training Course Agendas of IDA Solutions and its subsidiary office AA4A in Pretoria, South Africa, were published to the training page on this website.
Please click on 'Training' in the top menu, or click here to visit the training page.
A new development worth mentioning is the recently introduced in-country Lusophone course. For the moment, programming of this course depends on your interest. Please visit www.idasolutions.org or contact the IDA Solutions training department via training@idasolutions.org for more information.
Platform News Bulletin
New downloads
New downloads were added to the download section.
The first is part 4 of the series of HIV-AIDS guidelines, on HIV/AIDS Commodity Security (pdf, zipped, 269 KB). Right-click on the link and choose 'Save Target As..' to download the file. The file can also be found in the Download section, under 'General'.
The second download is an overview of the registration guidelines of Uganda, 'Registration Guidelines Uganda' (doc, 175 KB). Right-click on the link and choose 'Save Target As..' to download the file. The file can also be found in the Download section, under 'Transport & Clearance'.
Platform News Bulletin
New downloads
Two new downloads were added recently.
The first is an overview of registration terms of Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast): Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Registration Terms (doc, 67 KB). This document can be found in the download section, under 'Transport & Clearance'
The second download is part 3 of the series of HIV-AIDS guidelines, on Quantifying HIV Tests (pdf, zipped, 378 KB). Right-click on the links and choose 'Save Target As..' to download the documents. The download can also be found in the Download section, under 'General'.
Online courses
Furthermore we would like to draw your attention to online courses, offered for free by USAID on their website.
There are courses on different topics, such as Logistics for Health Commodities, HIV/AIDS, Malaria, TB, etc etc.
All you have to do is register and you can start learning.
The courses can be found on http://www.globalhealthlearning.org/
Platform News Bulletin
Two new downloads were added recently. The first is a Case Study on Guyana: Strengthening the Supply Chain (pdf, 88 KB).
The second download is part 2 of the series of HIV-AIDS guidelines, on Quantifying ARV Drugs (pdf, zipped, 369 KB). Right-click on the links and choose 'Save Target As..' to download the documents. The downloads can also be found in the Download section, under 'General'.
Furthermore we would like to draw your attention to the news mailings of the WHO AIDS Medicine and Diagnostics Service (AMDS).
AMDSmail is produced every 3 months, and the purpose is to keep people informed on key procurement and supply management related developments and activities of the AMDS team and their partner organisations.
The editions of AMDSmail can be found on http://www.who.int/hiv/amds/amdsmails/en/
Another example of interesting information to be found on the AMDS website is a complete schedule of the various workshops on procurement and supply management: http://ftp.who.int/htm/AMDS/traininglist2007.pdf
New downloads: Financing Mechanisms and Case Study
Three new downloads were added to the download section recently. The first is a document on Financing Mechanisms for Malaria (1188 KB). Right-click on the link and choose 'Save Target As..' to download the document. It can also be found in the Download section, under 'Finance'.
The second is a Case Study: Mission for Essential Drugs and Supplies, Kenya (171 KB). Right-click on the link and choose 'Save Target As..' to download the document. It can also be found in the Download section, under 'General'.
The third download is the first in a series of HIV-AIDS Guidelines - Part 1, Contents of the whole series + chapter 1: Inventory Management & distribution (pdf, zipped, 665 KB). To download, use the link or look it up in the Download section, under 'General'.
New downloads & link
Downloads
Two new downloads were added. One is the announced new registration guidelines of Ethiopia. Click on the link to download the zipped documents. It can also be found in the Download section, under 'Transport and Clearance'.
The other is PSI ACT Procurement & QA Guidelines, made available with the kind permission of PSI (Population Services International). To download, use the link or look it up in the Download section, under 'Procurement Management'. Comments on the document contents are welcome.
New link
A new link was added to the 'links' section (bottom of page). It is the UCLA Anderson School's 'Management Primer for Service Organizations Providing Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support for People Infected and Affected by HIV/AIDS'. This e-learning suite is being brought to you by UCLA Anderson School, with support from Johnson & Johnson.
New downloads available
Two new downloads were added recently. One is on the subject of selection, more specifically on Selecting generic ARVs to bring prices down. Right-click on the link and choose 'Save Target As..' to download the document. It can also be found in the Download section, under 'Selection'.
The other is on Better Procurement and Supply Management. To download, use the link or look it up in the Download section, under 'Procurement Management'.
Emergency buffer stock now available
Emergency Buffer Stock for the Supply of key HIV & AIDS Products
The emergency buffer stock for the supply of key HIV & AIDS products for treatment programmes in mainly sub Sahara Africa is now in full operation.
Funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation, this buffer stock is offering a fall-back supply service to HIV & AIDS treatment programmes in Africa that may run out of supplies for one reason or another. The Ministry has contracted IDA Solutions and its South African affiliate AA4A to implement this new service. The service is able to mobilize stock within 24 hours and reach 80% of sub Sahara Africa destinations within one week. The warehouse from which the buffer stock will be supplied is licensed by the Medicines Control Council (MCC) of South Africa and the business operations will be handled by the logistical service provider Pharmaceutical Health Distributors (PHD) based in Pretoria, South Africa.
All the products available from the emergency buffer stock comply with either WHO or FDA quality standards and are included in the WHO Standard Treatment Guidelines. The basic list of products currently available now at the start of the project is composed of:
* Lamivudine/Stavudine/Nevirapine 150mg/40mg/200mg 60 tablets
* Lamivudine/Stavudine/Nevirapine 150mg/30mg/200mg 60 tablets
* Lamivudine/Zidovudine/Nevirapine 150mg/300mg/200mg 60 tablets
* Lamivudine/Zidovudine 150mg/300mg 60 tablets
* Efavirenz 600mg 30 tablets
* Lamivudine/Stavudine 150mg/40mg 60 tablets
* Lamivudine/Stavudine 150mg/30mg 60 tablets
* Nelfinavir (as mesilate) 250mg 270 tablets
* Abacavir (as sulphate) 300mg blister (6x10) tablets
* Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate 300mg [Viread] 30 tablets
In order to ensure the provision of the required service to HIV & AIDS treatment programmes in sub Sahara Africa, we would like to elicit your ideas on expanding the product list, presentations and possible adaptations of the 1st line treatment regime based on your practical experience.
We would also like to hear from you what test kits and reagents need to be included in the product list on offer.
For more information please contact Melinda Wannenberg of ARV Access for Africa on +27 12 460 0914 or via info@aa4a.co.za
Download: registration guidelines Ethiopia. Link: PSM Toolbox
Site news:
1. Further to the topic of James Taylor requesting such documents a new download was added to the download section (under 'Transport & Clearance'): Registration guidelines of Ethiopia (488 KB). This one was uploaded by James himself, who got it through another channel. Still, more of such guidelines of other countries are very welcome.
Right-click on above link or the picture and choose 'Save Target As...' to download the document.
2. A new PSM (Procurement & Supply Management) toolbox was developed recently in cooperation with the World Health Organisation. Background information, presentations, agenda and the toolbox itself can be found on the WHO/AMDS website: http://www.who.int/hiv/amds/highlights/en/index.html
Download: Botswana Medicines Registration Guidelines
A new download was added to the download section (under 'Transport & Clearance'): Botswana Medicines Registration Guidelines (414 KB)
This download was made available after a request on the forum. Guidelines from other countries are requested as well. Who helps out?
Right-click on above link or the picture and choose 'Save Target As...' to download the document.
Other downloads that were made available include a glossary (a list of terms used in SCM in general, so not specifically aimed at essential medicines, 315KB) and an article from the UK Office of Government Commerce called 'Supply Chain Management in Public Sector Procurement: a Guide' (383KB). The latter is maybe somewhat theoretical but useful anyway, and there are many links to tools etc in the article. Right-click on above links and choose 'Save Target As...' to download.
Download: Forecast less and get better results?
A new download was added to the download section (under 'Planning & Quantification): Forecast less and get better results (425 KB).
This paper challenges conventional wisdom in the area of forecasting and planning: that companies need to project forecasts and plans far into the future at a detailed, highly granular level. It is the position of the authors that, in most cases, this is not necessary.
Right-click on above link or the picture and choose 'Save Target As...' to download the article.
(source: http://www.scmr.com/info/1340007261.html )
New download: simulation based SCM study
A new download was added to the download section (under 'General'): SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT TRADEOFFS ANALYSIS.
This paper describes a simulation based study for analysing the tradeoffs among service level, inventory and lead times for a large logistics supply chain. The study highlights the use of simulation in understanding seemingly non-intuitive results and guiding the effort for performance improvement.
Right-click on above link or the picture and choose 'Save Target As...' to download the article.
New download: M&E Toolkit
A new document was added to the download section (under 'Information Management'): Monitoring and Evaluation Toolkit: HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria.
Right-click either on the picture or on above title, and choose 'Save Target As..' to download.
The toolkit presents a framework in which to present a selection of standard indicators, for the three diseases, and refers to a range of M&E guidelines and tools including additional indicators on specific program areas.
Source: the Roll Back Malaria Partnership website
Original URL: http://www.theglobalfund.org/pdf/guidelines/pp_me_toolkit_en.pdf
New download: World Bank evaluation of its fight against HIV/AIDS
A new document was added to the download section (under 'Information Management'): Evaluating the World Bank's Assistance for Fighting the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Right-click on above title, and choose 'Save Target As..' to download.
New download: Procurement and Supply Chain Management Toolkit
A new document was added to the download section (under 'Procurement Management'): Malaria Procurement and Supply Chain Management Toolkit.
Right-click either on the picture or on above title, and choose 'Save Target As..' to download.
This toolkit, from the Roll Back Malaria Partnership, was originally anticipated to be useful in the design, preparation, and implementation of the Malaria Booster Program, to enable the procurement and delivery of essential antimalarial commodities and effective interventions to those at risk of malaria.
New document download: PPP creates supply chain in DRC
A new document download was added to the download section (under 'Distribution'): an article from the January 2007 issue of HealthLink (right-click either on the picture or on above title, and choose 'Save Target As..' to download)
This is an article on the creation of a supply chain by a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
New document download: Report on Global Fund performance
A new document was added to the download section (under 'Procurement Management'):
A new report on Global Fund performance by Global AIDS Alliance and World Response Consultancy
(right-click either on the picture or on above title, and choose 'Save Target As..' to download)
This report links up quite good with DFiD's Transparency Initiative. For a summary, click here
New document download: ACT Policy Implementation
A new document was added to the download section (under 'Administration'):
ACT Policy Implementation
Learning from Zambia's Experience in Introducing ACTs
(right-click either on the picture or on above title, and choose 'Save Target As..' to download)
This is a nice case study. Apart from the evaluation in the document it would be interesting to see what the experiences are of people who were involved in SCM for this project. (I have invited some of them to share their experiences in the topic 'ACT Policy Implementation in Zambia'.) Obviously any comments from others are welcome as well, e.g. on similar projects in other countries.
'In 2002 the Zambian health authorities have adopted artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT), artemether-lumefantrine, as the first line drug for the management of uncomplicated malaria. The process of policy change and moving from policy to practice has involved substantial managerial skills to overcome expected and unexpected bottlnecks over a period of 4-5 years. Caesar Mudondo, Pascalina Chanda, Micky Ndhlovu, and Pauline Wamulume have documented this unique experience and want to share the Zambian "practice" with other countries as they attempt to implement new ACT policy. The Zambian authors hope that transferring this "best practice report" to countries intending to engage in similar processes will enhance their ability to deal with the challenge.'
Source: the Roll Back Malaria Partnership website
Original URL: http://rbm.who.int/docs/zambia_act_deploying.pdf
New document download added: SCMS update January
Today a new download was added to the download section: the SCMS update of January 12, 2007. Right-click on the SCMS logo and choose 'Save Target As..' to download it. In the Download section it can be found under 'Distribution'.
New document download added: UCLA website preview
As announced in the latest newsletter, recently a preview of the Monitoring & Evaluation module of a future UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) website was made available to us by Dr. Victor Tabbush of UCLA. As soon as the website, designed to teach key fundamental management principles of relevance to those organizations that are dedicated to providing services to patients infected by and to others affected by HIV/AIDS, is finished a link will be provided on our platform. We highly value the cooperation with UCLA. The download is available in the Download section, under 'Information Management'. Alternatively, you can right-click on the UCLA logo and choose 'Save Target As...'.
New document download added: the Roll Back Malaria Strategic Plan 2005-2015
For those of you working on and/or interested in the fight against malaria, I today added the Roll Back Malaria Strategic Plan 2005-2015 to the download section, under Planning & Quantification.
Interesting reading material
Some interesting reading material on Managing Procurement Logistics of HIV/AIDS Drugs and Related Supplies. Click on this link to access it.
News mailings
If you are interested in receiving news mailings and want to be added to the mailing list, please send en e-mail to info@idasolutionsdplatform.org
This e-mail address can also be used for any other remarks or questions you might have.
Welcome
Welcome to the IDA Solutions SCM Discussion Platform, aimed at sharing information relevant to Supply Chain Management issues and experiences of essential medicines.
IDA Solutions
IDA Solutions consultants work for our clients on both short and long-term, complex solutions. IDA Solutions has particularly gained expertise in the handling of HIV/AIDS treatment and care projects and regularly offers training in this area. We often work in collaboration with both public/government and private partners and donors in the receiving countries.