“The COVID-19 pandemic is causing global supply chain disruptions and straining health systems. However, women still need access to quality family planning products and services. Failing to meet this essential need could mean long-term negative consequences during- and postpandemic.
In the face of COVID-19, what is needed from all partners to mitigate the supply chain impact on family planning supplies and orders?
- Now, more than ever, we need to work together.
- Donors, procurers, country stakeholders, manufacturers and partners, with the support of the Coordinated Supply Planning group (CSP), the Coordinated Assistance for Reproductive Health supplies group (CARhs), and the Global Family Planning Visibility and Analytics Network (GFPVAN), must continue to share critical supply chain data and coordinate action.
What do I need to do to collaborate?
- Continue to share accurate and up-to-date FP supply data through current channels – PPMR/ CARhs, CSP, GFPVAN, procurers. Access to updated order, shipment, inventory and supply planning data is critical to coordinate with global procurers and international suppliers for smooth delivery.
What FP supply data is most useful to update and share?
- Forecast and supply plan updates: Any abrupt changes to forecasts, inventory levels, and order timing, quantity, or frequency could exacerbate current supply delays and shortages. Please ensure forecasts and supply plan updates cover the next 18- 24 months and adjust for longer lead-times
- Inventory, order and shipment status updates: include any policy changes that might affect the ability to deliver products.
- Distribution strategy changes: Changes to sub-national supply and service delivery strategies aimed at minimizing supply disruption, such as pre-positioning higher levels of inventory closer to facilities or updating dispensing protocols to promote appropriate physical distancing, will impact planning. Please communicate these changes to your procurers or partners.
In return, we commit to the following collaboration
- We will make ourselves available virtually to promote maximum flexibility in how we receive information. If data providers or mechanisms change, we can receive information via email, phone, and other means.
- We will help trouble-shoot and keep it simple.
- If you do not know where to share your data, please contact the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition via GlobalFPVAN@rhsupplies.org. We are interested in hearing from health ministry representatives, implementing partners, procurers, service providers, manufacturers and other supply chain organizations”
