Supplier constraints are delaying our supplies to the field

MSF procurement centres (MSF Supply, MSF Logistique, APU) are facing an increased number of specific sourcing requests which can impact order lead-times. These may be due to

• supplier constraints (such as embargoes or requests to impose commercial import requirements on MSF)

• the need to respect the legal requirements for importation under humanitarian route (non-commercial import) in the destination country that directly impact the sourcing criteria.

With respect to the MSF Procurement Policy there may also be additional supply restrictions such as:

• for “closed articles” meaning only one (or a limited number of possible) source(s) is valid for supply

• when suppliers/manufacturers run non-continuous production cycles. This requires close communication of the MSF procurement centres with the suppliers well in advance to ensure that MSF needs are integrated in the manufacturing schedules.

Note that MSF procurement centres are working in collaboration to address the different supplier constraints (with additional support from MSF Legal department and MSF Access Campaign).

The aim is to ensure integration of MSF needs via intersectional purchase agreements (where possible), including the approval for stocks kept at procurement centre level prior to allocation to specific country orders. However, these centralised supply agreements may take months to negotiate, especially in the case of multinational pharmaceutical companies.

Concerning country-specific import requirements the MSF procurement centres work in collaboration in order to ensure the validated sources for supply are available together with the additional regulatory documentation according to the specific country import requirements. This work is supported by MSF Intersectional and Regional Pharmacists and a shared Regulatory Affairs Pharmacist position.