Procurement and Supply Chain Management Roadmap for Universal Health Care Implementation

In the Philippines, the program is implemented by Management Sciences for Health (MSH) and focuses on improving access to essential medical products and related services. The program brings expertise honed over decades of seminal pharmaceutical systems experience across more than 40 countries. The MTaPS Program in the Philippines is led by Hasibul Haque, Country Program Director, and is implemented in collaboration with the Department of Health (DOH) and other stakeholders. The program's objectives and approaches are aligned with the Universal Health Care (UHC) guidelines and aim to enhance the Procurement and Supply Chain Management (PSCM) system in the country. The current state analysis of the PSCM system in the Philippines identified potential enhancement opportunities that are in accordance with the new UHC Act and its implementing rules and regulations (IRRs) and associated guidelines. The analysis included technical discussions with stakeholders from the central DOH and regional centers for health development (CHDs) as well as a national survey with over 400 respondents from across the country, including local health system (LHS) representatives. The findings from the current state analysis were used to identify four essential future state building blocks and informed design considerations to promote a more effective, efficient, and integrated health supply chain system. The key recommendations for the UHC PSCM implementation roadmap include adhering to three phases, as prescribed by the Republic Act 11223 (otherwise known as the UHC Act) and its IRRs, that resulted in the integration of the newly created LHS. An additional fourth phase – phase 0 – was added to recognize the planning and preparation that will need to occur at all levels of the supply chain to prepare for future integration. The phases of the UHC PSCM implementation roadmap are: Phase 0: UHC implementation planning, Phase 1: Preparatory, Phase 2: Organizational, and Phase 3: Functional. Progression in the UHC PSCM roadmap is dependent upon demonstrated capability in key result areas (KRAs), not calendar time. It is expected that individual LHSs will develop PSCM capability and integrate UHC guidelines at varying rates. The report is intended to communicate the future state PSCM system to central, regional, and local supply chain entities. The document is intended to be directional for the entire country and not specific to any one LHS, meaning not all LHSs will spend time developing the essential building blocks. The report provides a roadmap for the implementation of the UHC PSCM system in the Philippines, which is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health supply chain system in the country. The MTaPS Program in the Philippines has identified several key areas for improvement in the PSCM system, including the need for a more integrated and efficient supply chain system, improved procurement practices, and enhanced human resources management. The program has also identified several potential risks to the integration of UHC, including the need for a more robust and sustainable PSCM system, improved communication and coordination among stakeholders, and enhanced capacity building and training programs. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of the PSCM system in the Philippines, including the challenges and opportunities for improvement. The report also provides a roadmap for the implementation of the UHC PSCM system, which is expected to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health supply chain system in the country.