By the end of 2006, about 2 million people living with HIV/AIDS were receiving antiretroviral therapy in low- and middle-income countries -- a dramatic 54 percent increase over the year before. Ensuring that essential medicines, HIV test kits, laboratory supplies and other health products are continuously available when they are needed is an ongoing imperative.
The Partnership for Supply Chain Management (PSCM) has been awarded a five-year contract to procure and deliver life-saving medicines and medical supplies to treat HIV/AIDS patients worldwide. The contract for the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) project was awarded through the U.S. Agency for International Development as part of the U.S. government's five-year, $15 billion President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
SCMS brings together 16 private sector, nongovernmental and faith-based organizations that are among the most trusted names in supply chain management and international public health and development. With offices in 17 countries and 350 dedicated staff members around the world, we are helping to improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in some of the countries most severely impacted by the pandemic. SCMS procures essential medicines and supplies at affordable prices; helps strengthen and build reliable, secure and sustainable supply chains systems; and fosters coordination of key stakeholders.
For SCMS, Crown Agents provides procurement services for non-pharmaceutical products including test kits, laboratory equipment, and supplies, as well as management and technical direction for selected SCMS country offices, including coordinating country support to HIV/AIDS commodity policy, planning, and operational meetings and coordinating committees. In addition, Crown Agents provides technical assistance in capacity building and training.
To learn more about SCMS, please follow the link in the resources section below.