Standardizing Paper-based LMIS Tools to Optimize Inventory Strategy

The organization procures a broad range of medicines and medical supplies for its health facilities and pharmacies in remote settlement camps, where facilities and resources are limited. To prevent stockouts of health supplies in a setting where demand can fluctuate, Alight developed various LMIS tools to capture and report data about products flowing through the supply chain. These data are reported from the lowest level of the supply chain, the health facility or pharmacy, to higher levels where resupply and procurement take place. Alight's supply chain managers use these data to make rational decisions for ordering health supplies. The standard stock card is a stock keeping record that captures receipts and issues of all products. Store keepers and pharmacists use it to record consumption data and stock on hand, two essential data items that managers need to calculate resupply. When a product is received into stock, dispensed to a customer, or disposed of for any reason, the store keeper or pharmacist makes an entry on the stock card. Alight's supply chain managers use the stock card data to determine order quantities to avoid stockouts and overstocks. The way bill records the transfer of stock from one level of the supply chain to another, or from one facility to another. It is signed by the person issuing the product at the upper level, typically a warehouse, and by the person receiving the goods at the pharmacy or health facility. The way bill includes key data for each product, including reference number for the movement of the item, item name, unit, batch, and expiry date, quantity of items, and destination. The monthly report and requisition (R&R) form allows pharmacists and storekeepers to report their data to the supply chain's next level up and request a resupply of stocks based on their consumption. The R&R form contains essential data items, including stock on hand, losses and adjustments, consumption data, and number of days stocked out, to accurately determine order quantities to avoid stockouts and overstocks. The stock card and way bill feed into the R&R form, which also helps determine order refill rates.