How much product? New UNCOLSC resource helps forecast commodity needs

Participants in a recent webinar were introduced to a new resource to help forecast the need for 13 underused reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health commodities. The UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities (UNCoLSC or Commission) Supply Chain Technical Resource Team has developed a Quantification Supplement offering practical tips and strategies for estimating the quantities of supplies needed by health programs at the country level. For each product, it includes forecasting steps, product considerations, forecasting algorithm “trees” or flow charts, and examples.

These 13 commodities, prioritized by the Commission, have diverse characteristics: some are new products in the process of being introduced, while others have been in use for many years but are underused or have not been available when needed or in the recommended formulation. The webinar hosted by the Maternal Health Supplies Caucus features panelists Jane Briggs, Principal Tech Advisor at Management Sciences for Health and Jane Feinberg, Senior Technical Officer at JSI.

The document is available in both English and French, and lists additional quantification resources in an annex.