Improving timeliness in the neglected tropical diseases preventive chemotherapy donation supply chain through information sharing: A retrospective empirical analysis

Abstract

Background Billions of doses of medicines are donated for mass drug administrations in support of the World Health Organization’s “Roadmap to Implementation,” which aims to control, eliminate, and eradicate Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs). The supply chain to deliver these medicines is complex, with fragmented data systems and limited visibility on performance. This study empirically evaluates the impact of an online supply chain performance measurement system, “NTDeliver,” providing understanding of the value of information sharing towards the success of global health programs. Methods Retrospective secondary data were extracted from NTDeliver, which included 1,484 shipments for four critical medicines ordered by over 100 countries between February 28, 2006 and December 31, 2018. We applied statistical regression models to analyze the impact on key performance metrics, comparing data before and after the system was implemented. Findings The results suggest information sharing has a positive association with improvement for two key performance indicators: purchase order timeliness (β = 0.941, p = 0.003) and—most importantly—delivery timeliness (β = 0.828, p = 0.027). There is a positive association with improvement for three variables when the data are publicly shared: shipment timeliness (β = 2.57, p = 0.001), arrival timeliness (β = 2.88, p = 0.003), and delivery timeliness (β = 2.82, p = 0.011). Conclusions Our findings suggest that information sharing between the NTD program partners via the NTDeliver system has a positive association with supply chain performance improvements, especially when data are shared publicly. Given the large volume of medicine and the significant number of people requiring these medicines, information sharing has the potential to provide improvements to global health programs affecting the health of tens to hundreds of millions of people.

Unpacking the impact of integrating the neglected tropical disease supply chain into the national supply chain system: illustrative evidence from Liberia

“…They found that information sharing is positively associated with the timeliness of several key stages in the NTD supply chain. Additionally, information sharing and coordination appear to be more impactful when information is released publicly and especially by country programme staff instead of international partners (Kasparis et al , 2021 ).…”

“…If they are to perform well while maintaining cost-effectiveness, supply chains need information about stock, consumption, shipments and other such variables almost in real time (Kasparis et al , 2021 ). Privett and Gonsalvez ( 2014 ) outline how communication worsens and shipment visibility deteriorates as products move further down in-country supply chains, leaving those at the lower level of the health system with little information as to when supplies will arrive.…”

“…Yadav (2014) describes the lack of information capture and information sharing as one of the main sources of underperformance in public sector supply chains. Similarly, Kasparis et al (2021) studied the impact of information sharing through NTD delivery and performance for countries making their data publicly accessible on the performance of the NTD Mass Drug Administration (MDA) drug donation supply chain through the WHO. They found that information sharing is positively associated with the timeliness of several key stages in the NTD supply chain.…”

Assessing performance using maturity model: a multiple case study of public health supply chains in Nigeria

“…Avelar-Sosa et al (2019) define SC performance as the capacity of organisations to understand the needs of their customers and fulfil customer needs with sufficient inventory levels through product availability and on-time deliveries. Besides the use of online measurements to improve information sharing and time to order and deliver medicines (Kasparis et al , 2021), the use of PM, information and technology and other management practices is crucial to MA in government hospitals (Dixit et al , 2019). The use of digital technology platforms for PM reduces medicines stockout by tracking and enabling decision-making through enhanced information flows and reduced delays in order fulfilment (Wang et al , 2022).…”