The COVID-19 pandemic has the potential to disrupt public health supply chains in countries worldwide. However, its impact will vary from country to county. To help ensure continuity of supply for all public health commodities while also supporting COVID-19 response, review this series of questions – by functional area – that highlight factors to consider…. Read more

The risks of severe public health consequences continue to rise with the spread of COVID-19. Swift action is needed for countries to properly secure their supply chains and curb long-term impact. As resources like fuel, access to vehicles, and healthy staff become scarcer, health systems’ abilities to provide routine health care will be ever more… Read more

Trained human resources are the most valuable asset in the supply chain. It is important to reinforce the basic principles for keeping yourself and others from contracting or spreading COVID-19 through hand washing, social distancing (maintaining two meters of distance from other people) and covering your mouth with your inner arm when you cough or… Read more

During emergencies, backloading multiple months of medicines and other public health commodities as close to patients as possible can minimize supply chain disruption and maintain patient access. Backloading often requires additional temporary storage for the significant increase in supply. Shipping containers can be used to fill these short-term storage capacity needs. Note that temperature-sensitive commodities… Read more

Adequate and efficient storage of commodities is critical for efficient supply management. Commodities must be easily visible, organized for efficient throughput, and stored appropriately to prevent damage and expiry. During emergencies, proper and efficient use of all available storage space is all the more important. The influx of emergency supplies, in addition to routine deliveries… Read more