Reports and Briefs
Technical Briefs on New and Underused Reproductive Health Technologies, The Caucus on New and Underused Reproductive Health Technologies, 2012
These peer-reviewed briefs provide concise, but comprehensive, technical overviews for 13 underused reproductive health technologies, including contraceptive implants, CycleBeads, diaphragm, emergency contraceptive pills, female condom, HPV vaccines, levonorgestrel intrauterine system, magnesium sulfate, manual vacuum aspiration, medical abortion, misoprostol for maternal health, oxytocin, and progesterone vaginal ring. Each brief includes information on efficacy, suppliers, pricing agreements, and more. The Caucus on New and Underused Reproductive Health Technologies is a community of practice that was established under the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition; PATH is the Secretariat.
Emergency Contraceptive Pills: Supply Chain Considerations, USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, 2012
Emergency contraception is an important component of reproductive health programs. To ensure the routine availability of emergency contraceptive pills, the managers of public health supply chains must consider the unique characteristics of this important method.
Frequently Asked Questions: Caucus on New and Underused Reproductive Health Technologies, Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, 2011
This document answers common questions raised by members of the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition and its Working Groups about the Caucus on New and Underused Reproductive Health Technologies, its goals, organization, and functions. The document includes a vetted definition for new and underused reproductive health technologies.
A Risky Business: Saving Money and Improving Global Health Through Better Demand Forecasts, Center for Global Development, Global Health Forecasting Working Group, 2007
Great strides have been made in the last decade to improve health in poor countries--more aid funding for drugs and vaccines; creation of funds to buy medicines; and concessionary pricing of medicines by some pharmaceutical firms. However, the global supply chain that connects the dots–-production to people–-does not work well. The problem is poor forecasting of effective demand for products. Good forecasting is fundamental for key decisions, such as how much production capacity to build, which must be made years in advance of products being delivered. But, donors that provide much of the money to purchase drugs, and a whole range of technical agencies and intermediaries, have yet to devise and coordinate among themselves or with developing country governments, credible forecasts. This report of the Global Health Forecasting Working Group provides an analysis of the problem and a sensible agenda for action. The report offers specific recommendations that apply across a range of products and that could be implemented by identifiable public and private organizations.
Accurately Forecasting Contraceptive Need: Levels, Trends, and Determinants, USAID | DELIVER PROJECT, 2007
Information on the expected accuracy of the contraceptive forecasting processes is useful for family planning supply chain managers to efficiently plan and procure contraceptive commodities and to maintain uninterrupted supplies to meet clients’ needs. This study examines the accuracy of the contraceptive forecasting processes of 81 family planning programs in 30 developing countries, using time-series records between 1994 and 2005 for past contraceptive consumption and projected needs. Forecast accuracy is defined as the absolute percentage difference between the actual and projected quantity of a contraceptive dispensed. An analysis of 1,586 one-year-ahead contraceptive forecasts indicates that the expected median absolute percent error for one-year-ahead contraceptive forecasts for public sector family planning programs is about 25 percent. Multiple regression analysis indicates that the forecast accuracy of public sector programs has been improving over time, which is partly attributable to an improved family planning logistics management information system performance and the use of forecasting software.