Multiplicity in public health supply systems: a learning agenda

Abstract

Supply chain integration—merging products for health programs into a single supply chain—tends to be the dominant model in health sector reform. However, multiplicity in a supply system may be justified as a risk management strategy that can better ensure product availability, advance specific health program objectives, and increase efficiency.

The Astronomy of Africa’s Health Systems Literature During the MDG Era: Where Are the Systems Clusters?

“…18 , 41 , 46 , 63 Keywords connoting WHO building block themes concerning the design, implementation, and use of information for decision making, 18 , 63 - 67 health information management, and research utilization are advocated in reviews, but as yet, are not prominent in the African health systems literature, 5 , 53 , 68 , 69 and keywords concerning internal organizational communication and knowledge management 53 , 68 , 69 are rare. 67 Keywords from literature focused on the building block of implementation, evaluation, or reform of logistics, equipment procurement, facilities development, and commodity supply systems 44 , 70 are also rarely pursued. The fifth WHO health systems building block represents planning, finance, budgeting, and managing resources for sustaining services.…”

Strategic contracting practices to improve procurement of health commodities

“…Chile created a government-wide e-procurement system, known as ChileCompra , in 2010 to enable government agencies to take advantage of the benefits of centralized purchasing without compromising the flexibility of decentralized ordering 16 . Much like the VA and DOD procurement systems, ChileCompra negotiates multi-year agreements with suppliers for selected products.…”

“…Chile created a government-wide e-procurement system, known as ChileCompra , in 2010 to enable government agencies to take advantage of the benefits of centralized purchasing without compromising the flexibility of decentralized ordering. 16 Much like the VA and DOD procurement systems, ChileCompra negotiates multi-year agreements with suppliers for selected products. All government agencies can then order against these agreements using an electronic catalogue, receiving the lower prices negotiated by ChileCompra and avoiding the costs and lead times associated with floating individual tenders.…”

A stewardship approach to shaping the future of public health supply chain systems

“…This can give stewards flexibility and prudent redundancy in funders, suppliers, distributors, procurement arrangements, and even in quality assurance, reducing risks of supply disruption and better serving all customers. 4 …”