Health Supply Chain/Logistics

JSI's Logistics Services group works with governments, donor agencies, nongovernmental organizations and private companies to ensure the availability of health supplies. We improve health program supply chain efficiency and effectiveness by strengthening systems, training people, developing policies and mobilizing financing for essential health commodities. Most of the Publications cited here were developed by JSI's DELIVER Project.

For more information as well as Country Reports, Fact Sheets, Policy Papers and other materials, please go to DELIVER Project Publications.

Please note the following are listed in chronological order starting with the most recent publication.

Decentralizing and Integrating Contraceptive Logistics Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean, With Lessons Learned from Asia and Africa (DRAFT)

This paper, which builds on several previous documents produced by the DELIVER Project, is an overview of key issues and lessons that LAC countries and countries in Asia and Africa have learned during the process of integration and decentralization. The analysis highlights key ideas that policymakers, family planning managers, and logistics advisors can consider when implementing the decentralization and/or integration reforms of certain or all logistics systems functions to help sustain an efficient and continuous supply of contraceptives. Alix Beith, Nora Quesada, Wendy Abramson, Anabella Sánchez, Nadia Olson, 2007.

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Nepal: Scaling Up an Integrated Health Logistics System

This case study, developed as part of JSI's Best Practices in Scaling Up series, explores the implementation of an effective and sustainable integrated health logistics system. The paper delineates the steps used to design the integrated system, the training process, coordination and resource generation, and implementation. The logistics system now enables health staff nationwide to monitor drugs and supplies at each service delivery point and throughout the system to ensure that resources are used efficiently. Also included are highlights of what JSI staff learned along the way as scale up processes were implemented. Also included in the series is an Introduction to scale up as well as case studies from Guatemala, Romania, Turkey, Uganda, Zambia, and the DELIVER Project. Janardin Lamichhane and Heem Shakya, John Snow, Inc., 2007.

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DELIVER Project: Scaling up Logistics Management Information Systems in Health Commodity Supply Chains

This case study, developed as part of JSI's Best Practices in Scaling Up series, examines the process that three country programs have used to scale up commodities supply chains to increase the number and types of products they provide. The case study highlights why commodity scale up is important, how logistics management information systems must be developed to support expended services, steps in the scale-up process and results from three country programs. Also included are highlights of what JSI staff learned along the way as scale up processes were implemented. Also included in the series is an Introduction to scale up as well as case studies from Guatemala, Nepal, Romania, Turkey, Uganda, and Zambia. Gregory Roche and Barbara Felling, John Snow, Inc., 2006.

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Contraceptive Security Index 2006: A Tool for Priority Setting and Planning

This powerful tool can be used to raise awareness about contraceptive security (CS) and the interrelationships between program components, different sectors, and program outcomes. At the national and international levels, the index can be used to set priorities; and to plan and advocate to support policies and other interventions that promote progress toward CS. At the country level, it can help identify areas of relative strength and weakness to help stakeholders target their resources more effectively and appropriately. JSI/DELIVER Project and Task Order 1 of the USAID | Health Policy Initiative, 2006.

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Contraceptive Security Index User's Guide

This is the user's guide for the Contraceptive Security Index 2006: A Tool for Priority Setting and Planning. This guide was developed to help program manangers, logisticians, and others get the most out of the index and effectively present its findings to decision makers. JSI/DELIVER Project, for the U.S. Agency for International Development, 2006.

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Contraceptive Security: Practical Experience in Improving Global, Regional, National and Local Product Availability

At the Istanbul Conference in 2001, participants identified strategies for increasing contraceptive security to ensure that clients can chose, obtain, and use the methods they need. Five years after Istanbul, this report documents the progress made in improving contraceptive security. It documents the lessons learned in increasing and diversifying contraceptive finance; understanding and expanding the total market; and working with the public, private, and NGO sectors to improve service delivery and product availability. It also describes different regional initiatives adopted in Latin America, Africa, and Eastern Europe; and it identifies new challenges countries face around procurement and donor coordination and how these challenges have been addressed. The report describes what has been done and defines what remains to be done to improve contraceptive product availability. David Sarley, Raja Rao, Carolyn Hart, Leslie Patykewich, Paul Dowling, Wendy Abramson, Chris Wright, Nadia Olson, Marie Tien, John Snow, Inc., 2006.

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Decentralizing and Integrating Contraceptive Logistics Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean: Considerations for Informed Decision Making throughout the Health Reform Process

This paper highlights key considerations for policymakers in ministries of health and decision makers from the international donor community for prioritizing supply chain management throughout the health reform process—primarily when decentralizing and/or integrating the public health system. Anabella Sánchez, Wendy Abramson, Nadia Olson, and Nora Quesada, John Snow, Inc., 2006.

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Guidelines for the Storage of Essential Medicines and Other Health Commodities

This guide is a practical reference for those managing or involved in setting up a storeroom or warehouse. It contains written directions and clear illustrations on receiving and arranging commodities; special storage conditions; tracking commodities; maintaining the quality of the products; constructing and designing a medical store; and waste management; as well as additional resources. (Revised March 2006) JSI/DELIVER Project in collaboration with the World Health Organization, 2006.

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Download document in Arabic (3,062 KB)

Download document in French (1,127 KB)

Download document in Russian 1,311 KB)

Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators for Assessing Logistics Systems Performance

Quality monitoring is an integral part of any health logistics system, as it can describe the performance of the logistics system, evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and allow for accountability and advocacy. This document describes several indicators that are useful tools in monitoring and evaluating a logistics system for reproductive health commodities. These indicators can be used to measure the availability of commodities in a health facility, the performance of the logistics system, and, ultimately, commodity security. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2006.

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Options for Contraceptive Procurement: Lessons Learned from Latin America and the Caribbean

In upcoming years, countries in the Latin America and Caribbean Region will see a gradual decline in donations and technical assistance toward ensuring contraceptive security. In light of this trend, governments throughout the region are faced with ensuring the provision of family planning services, including a continuous supply of contraceptives. This report analyzes the legal and regulatory framework in each of nine focus countries that may affect future procurement of contraceptive commodities, as well as the current policy environments of five USAID "graduated" countries that are now procuring contraceptives without foreign assistance. David Sarley, Varuni Dayaratna, Wendy Abramson, Jay Gribble, Nora Quesada, Nadia Olson, Verónica Siman Betancourt, 2006.

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Romania: Scaling Up Integrated Family Planning Services: A Case Study

This case study presents the story of the USAID-funded Romanian Family Health Initiative (RFHI) from 2001 to 2005, and how it succeeded in expanding access to and use of family planning services and supplies. It presents both the achievements of the program as well as lessons learned during the preceding 1999–2001 pilot program and during the scale up phases of the program. The study is intended primarily for program managers, policymakers, donors, and providers of technical assistance in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Merce Gasco, Christopher Wright, Magdalena Patruleasa, Diane Hedgecock, John Snow, Inc., 2006.

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Guidelines for Warehousing Health Commodities

These guidelines were written for anyone trying to meet and solve the challenges of operating a warehouse today. They are an important reference tool for managers and staff, whether they are constructing a new warehouse system, or redesigning their current system. The guidelines consist of four sections—human resource, layout planning, tracking systems and material handling equipment, and warehouse management system. The text is augmented by detailed illustrations, including a proposed organogram for staff. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2005.

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Process Mapping for Improved Health Logistics System Performance

This paper explains how and why process mapping is used; explains process mapping within the context of logistics systems re-engineering; and describes the workflow data collection, charting, and analysis process. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2005.

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Contraceptive Forecasting Accuracy: Trends and Determinants

This study examines the accuracy of the contraceptive forecasts contained in the Contraceptive Procurement Table (CPT) database, which is maintained by JSI's DELIVER Project to evaluate the quality of the forecasting process, to assess the utility of the forecasts in procurement planning, and to monitor and evaluate project progress. One-year-ahead contraceptive forecasts for 50 clients from 19 countries for 1995 to 2003 are analyzed. Among others, the results indicate that the forecast accuracy has been improving over time, which is partly attributable to the improvement of the client's logistics management information system and the use of the PipeLine software for preparing the CPTs. Ali Mehryar Karim, Karen Ampeh, Lois Todhunter, JSI/DELIVER Project, 2004.

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Tool to Assess Site Readiness for Initiating Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)

This 20-page guide helps programs select ART sites based not on site type but on capacity, vision, and activities needed for rational introduction and expansion of ART into HIV care. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2004.

English Version (PDF, 122 KB)

Spanish Version (PDF, 93.6 KB)

Supply Chain Manager User's Manual
(printed copies not available)

This guide explains how to install and use Supply Chain Manager 2.0, a software tool written in Microsoft Access 97®. Supply Chain Manager provides logistics management information to managers of distribution systems. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2004.

English Version (PDF, 1.18 MB)

Safe Injection and Waste Management: A Reference for Logistics Advisors

This publication is a reference for logistics advisors as they face the challenge of designing and supporting programs to improve injection safety and injection waste management. The reader will find useful information and tools, as well as discussions of important issues, including those related to commodity security for safe injection devices (i.e., injection device security) and the development of a safe injection and waste management policy. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2004.

English Version (PDF, 1.29 MB)

Guidelines for Assessing Costs in a Logistics System: An Example of Transport Cost Analysis

This guide was developed to help address one of the areas of unmet need in financial analysis: the definition of an approach for designing and conducting a cost analysis. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2004.

English Version (PDF, 500 KB)

Guidelines for the Storage of Essential Medicines and Other Health Commodities

English Version (PDF, 883 KB)

Guide for Quantifying HIV Test Requirements

Program managers for HIV and AIDS programs are under increasing pressure to make decisions about allocating funds to purchase HIV test kits in support of major HIV and AIDS program expansion. This guide is a systematic, accurate tool to quantify HIV test requirements, which will help managers identify their needs and manage their commodities more effectively. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2003.

English Version (PDF, 866 KB)

Guidelines for Implementing Computerized Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS)

This guide defines the computerized LMIS, recommends the components of a successful computerized LMIS, and explains development, implementation, and operations of such a system. It also provides lessons learned and sample reports and graphs. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2006.

English Version (PDF, 1 MB)

Bangladesh Bidder's Guide

JSI's DELIVER Project developed this guide which provides a simplified explanation of competitive bidding and contracting procedures for health-sector projects in Bangladesh financed wholly or in part by the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA). JSI/DELIVER Project, 2003.

English Version (PDF, 3.04 MB)

Concepts of Logistics System Design

A frequent problem in logistics system design is that projects are undertaken piecemeal, with no organized framework for analysis; consequently, systems are developed that are too complex or that lack the flexibility to change as the program environment changes. This JSI/DELIVER document discusses some of the most important issues in the design of logistics systems and describes briefly several different types of systems. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2003.

English Version (PDF, 1.23 MB)

Malawi Health Commodities Logistics Management System Procedures Manual

Developed for the Republic of Malawi Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP), this 106-page manual provides standard operating procedures for the management of health commodities within the MOHP integrated supply chain. 2003.

English Version (PDF, 2.48 MB)

Procurement Primer for Health and Family Planning Programs in Bangladesh

This 100-page booklet provides a simple overview of goods and services procurement for health-sector projects in Bangladesh that have been financed wholly or in part by the World Bank and the International Development Association (IDA). JSI/DELIVER Project, 2003.

English Version (PDF, 4.92 MB)

ProQ: Software for Estimating HIV Test Needs for VCT & PMTCT Programs

This brief fact sheet describes DELIVER Project software that helps program managers quantify HIV test requirements. JSI/DELIVER Project.

English Version (PDF, 793 KB)

Spanish Version (PDF, 206 KB)

ProQ User's Manual

The ProQ manual explains how to use ProQ software. It includes an introduction to ProQ and quantification, in general; instructions for installing the software on the user's computer; navigation techniques and conventions; instructions for conducting a quantification, and printing reports. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2003.

English Version (PDF, 2.31 MB)

The Logistics Handbook: A Practical Guide for Supply Chain Managers in Family Planning and Health Programs

The Logistics Handbook explains the major aspects of logistics management with an emphasis on contraceptive supplies. It is intended to help managers who work with supplies every day, as well as managers who assess and design logistics systems for entire programs. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2000.

English Version (PDF, 4.82 MB)

The Contraceptive Forecasting Handbook for Family Planning and HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs

Contraceptive Forecasting Handbook for Family Planning and HIV/AIDS Prevention Programs is a reference book for forecasting commodity needs for family planning and HIV and AIDS prevention programs. Topics range from general methodological considerations to special considerations when forecasting for HIV and AIDS prevention programs. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2000.

English Version (PDF, 6.67 MB)

Spanish Version (PDF, 2.91 MB)

PipeLine Version 3.0 User's Manual

This user's guide explains how to install and use the Pipeline Monitoring and Procurement Planning System (PipeLine), a software tool designed to help program managers regularly monitor the status of their product pipelines and product procurement plans. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2000.

English Version (PDF, 3.79 MB)

French Version (PDF, 3.83 MB)

Spanish Version (PDF, 3.84 MB)

Logistics Management Information Systems (LMIS) Assessment Guidelines
(printed copies not available)

These guidelines are a general reference for field advisors conducting LMIS assessments. JSI/DELIVER Project, 2000.

English Version (PDF, 263 KB)

Contraceptive Logistics Guidelines for Refugee Settings

The guidelines presented in this manual provide an outline of basic contraceptive logistics management principles and procedures used by program managers in camps for refugees or displaced persons. By using the steps outlined in this manual, program managers can design and implement a simple contraceptive logistics system in a camp where family planning programs are underway. JSI/DELIVER Project, 1999.

English Version (PDF, 573 KB )

Pocket Guide to Managing Contraceptive Supplies

This guide is for the staff of family planning or health clinics who manage contraceptive supplies and for the supervisor who oversees these logistics activities. This booklet is not a complete logistics text; its purpose is to be a quick reference for logistics formulas and principles to help staff manage supplies (both contraceptives and other commodities) correctly and efficiently. JSI/DELIVER Project, 1998.

English Version (PDF, 234 KB)

French Version (PDF, 258 KB)

Spanish Version (PDF, 718 KB)

Pest Management for Warehouses Storing Contraceptive Products in Developing Countries

A guide to managing pests and the potential for pest damage in warehouses storing contraceptive commodities for family planning. JSI/DELIVER Project, 1994.

English Version (PDF, 311 KB)

Developing National Training Strategies in Family Planning Logistics: How Hard Can it Be?

This paper, originally presented by JSI/DELIVER Project staff at the 121 st Meeting of the American Public Health Association in October 1993, continues to be popular for dissemination. It explains the different methods to train family planning personnel at all levels of the health care system in the area of contraceptive logistics. The paper illustrates training examples from cases around the world. JSI/DELIVER Project, 1993.

English Version (PDF, 106 KB)