For more information please reach Mr. Evans Mwemezi via calmevans@gmail.com
Course Structure:
1. Introduction to Procurement and Supply Chain Management
This introductory module aims to provide a complete overview of the PSM approach in global
health. Students will be exposed to basic terminology, fundamental concepts of pharmaceutical
management, public health programs and how the PSM function fits into the overall structure.
Overview
Basic Terminologies
Public Health Objectives
Pharmaceutical Management
Introduction to Procurement and Supply Management
Role of the PSM staff
Challenges in PSM
2. Public Health Commodities
In this module students will develop a basic understanding of health commodities, review on
how products on the national treatment guidelines is arrived at including the process, persons
involved, key strengths and gaps. Detailed understanding of the essential medicines concept
will be dealt with.
Health Commodity Classification Systems
Types of Public Health Commodities
Market Size for Health Commodities
Introduction to the essential medicines concept
Standard Treatment guidelines
Product Registration
Impact of Product Selection
3. Quantification and Supply Planning
Aim of this module is to understand the methodology, tools and key process to estimate the
country needs for health commodities. Understanding scientific forecasting methods as applied
to various product categories.
Forecasting versus Quantification
Need for Quantification
Quantification Methods
Quantification of Various Commodity Types
Creating and Validating Forecasts
Accuracy of Forecasts
Triangulation of Data
Funding and Budgeting
Issues to consider while Forecasting
4. Global Health Procurement
At the end of this module, the students will be able to understand the processes, personnel and
standards applied as well as country capacity to carry out effective procurement. Focus will be
on principles of good procurement practice, writing of procurement plans and types of
procurement methods.
Introduction to the procurement process
Total procurement costs
Types of procurement methods
Good procurement practices
Supplier selection methodology
Contracting methods
Procurement planning methodology
Supplier management methodology
Writing Procurement plans
Procurement manuals and SOPs
Procurement capacities
Procurement outsourcing
Procurement System Assessments
Procurement Audits
5. Inventory Management
This module elaborates upon the principles of inventory management and various inventory
policies and norms. Focus will be on the importance of having an inventory strategy and its
implementation.
Understanding inventory
Basics of Inventory Management
Push versus Pull Systems
Centralized versus Decentralized Systems
Stock records and standard reports
Service level and safety stock
Inventory control models
Minimum and maximum stock-level formula
Key Performance Indicators
Inventory Management Systems
Inventory management as a tool to reduce stock outs and expiries
6. Storage & Distribution
In this module students will be able to gain knowledge of WHO Good Storage and Distribution
Practices, warehouses processes, transportation systems, and techniques on maintaining a cold
chain. Focus will be on design of country distribution systems, effectiveness of the system, and
level of responsiveness.
The Distribution cycle
Designing a country distribution network
Infrastructure requirements
Flow of products through the distribution system
Warehouse Processes
Good Distribution Practices
Good Storage Practices
Resources for distribution management
Cost analysis and performance monitoring
Information Management Systems
Outsourcing of the storage and distribution functions
Risk management
7. Rational Use of Medicines
At the end of this module, learners will be able to understand the concepts of rational medicines
use, its impact upon availability and efficacy of a public health system.
Understanding rational medicine use
Understanding irrational medicine use
Adverse effects
Underuse versus Overuse
Impact on medicine quality
Cost implications
Communication issues
Impact on Selection and Quantification
8. PSM Support Functions & Systems
This module introduces learners to the key support functions and systems of PSM such as HR,
Finance, Quality Assurance, Information Systems etc. It helps students gain a thorough
understanding on how these support functions indirectly but significantly affect the
performance of the PSM function. They will also learn how to most efficiently design, implement
and manage them.
Organization and staffing of the PSM function
PSM data & the information systems pyramid
Implementing a Logistics Management Information System
Introduction to Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance
Practical approaches to Quality Assurance
Financial Impact of PSM
Funding for PSM projects
9. Dissertation
The dissertation will provide an opportunity to the students for applying all the concepts
learned over the past eight modules in a single project. The dissertation would preferably be
based on the situation in the students’ own country/region and suggesting how an identified
problem could be practically addressed. Outstanding dissertation projects will be promoted by
Empower on a best effort basis to be adopted as funded projects by leading public health
organisations.
• The output is expected to be a brief ‘Concept Note’ with more detailed supporting evidence of
one area of particular interest to the student
• Topics are to be discussed and agreed with the course faculty
• The faculty mentor assigned to the student will provide guidance throughout the dissertation
