Background:
The UN Commission on Life-Saving Commodities (UNCoLSC or Commission) Supply Chain Technical Resource Team developed a quantification supplement covering 13 underused reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health commodities with great lifesaving potential. 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 quantification supplement complements existing quantification guidance and offers 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.
While this guidance was developed primarily for public sector and NGO programs, the methodology presented could also be relevant for forecasting commodity needs for the private sector. The document is available in both English and French, and lists additional quantification resources in an annex.