Lessons Learned in Supply Chain Management of HIV & AIDS Commodities

This publication was produced for review by the U.S. Agency for International Development. It was prepared by the USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, Task Order 1. HIV-related activities of Task Order 1 are supported by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. Unprecedented levels of financial and human resources have been allocated for the prevention, care, and treatment of HIV-infected and -affected individuals, families, and communities in resourcelimited settings. Managing supply chains for these commodities is a unique challenge given that HIV treatment requires lifelong therapy with adherence rates above 95 percent, and that few or no substitutions can be made for many commodities if a stockout occurs. Since stockouts at health facilities can result in treatment interruption that can quickly lead to viral resistance or missed opportunities for diagnosis, the global community has invested significant resources for procuring and managing the supply of HIV and AIDS commodities. Consequently, these supply chains are some of the most efficient and effective in public sector health systems, and they offer lessons that can be applied toward improving supply chains for other commodities in these settings.