More than twice as many women are using injectable contraceptives today as a decade ago, and the numbers keep growing. Widespread and consistent access to contraceptives rests on effective organization and management of the supply chain and correct assessments of supply and demand. Many logistics guides emphasize that an effective supply chain must ensure the “six rights” for product distribution:

1. The right product
2. In the right quantity
3. In the right condition
4. In the right place
5. At the right time
6. For the right cost

Without these “rights,” programs cannot operate; in other words, “no product, no program.” Logistics management is complex, as contraceptive supply chains consist of many organizations, procedures, and people who must work together to accurately forecast demand and then order and deliver the appropriate quantity of contraceptives.

The Logistics section of the Injectables Toolkit houses resources for improving logistics system performance to maintain adequate supplies and equipment on hand, thus ensuring injectables will be available where and when clients need them. The materials cover a number of topics, including:

Contraceptive Security: Contraceptive security exists when every person is able to choose, obtain, and use quality contraceptives and condoms for family planning and protection from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV. This section offers tools for planning, implementing, assessing, monitoring, analyzing, and managing strategies for securing essential contraceptive commodities. 

Forecasting: Contraceptive security relies on accurate forecasting of contraceptive needs. The Forecasting section contains links to software and other tools for projecting contraceptive needs and planning accordingly.

Logistics System Design and Inventory Management: This section offers guidance on designing and implementing an effective logistics system for a program that offers injectables, as well as properly managing inventory.

Procurement and Quality Assurance: This section contains product catalogs, guidance on procuring reproductive health commodities from UNFPA, and other tools for procuring high-quality contraceptive supplies.

Storage, Distribution, and Waste Disposal: Effective storage, distribution, and waste disposal policies and systems are critical to the success of any family planning program. This section houses guidelines and tools for establishing systems that ensure the safety and needs of the communities being served.

Do you have a comment about this section or would you like to suggest a new resource or management topic? Please share your feedback by emailing us at toolkits@k4health.org or posting on our discussion board.