How is MSF tackling the current “NFOS” articles challenges?

MSF’s ESCs (European Supply Centers) are confronted with 2 distinct problems for NFOS family products:

Certificate of Analysis (CoA) is not available for English labelled products*:

• NFOSINFO1AO80 : INFANT FORMULA, 1st age, powder, 800g

• NFOSINFOH1- : INFANT FORMULA, HYPOALLERGENIC, 1st age, powder, 400g

• NFOSINFOP1O40 : INFANT FORMULA, PREMATURES, stage 1, hosp.use, pwd, 400g

• NFOSDEICSEWV4 : DRINK/ENTERAL POWDER isocal.child,Semi Elem w/o fib.van.430g (Peptamen Junior)

• NFOSHMFO2-- : BREAST MILK FORTIFIER, powder, 2.2g, sachet

(*If you have specific questions on articles not listed above, please refer to our Desk Operator)

For English labelled articles, MSF movement validated suppliers do not have access to CoA. Consequently, they are not able to provide CoA to MSF ESCs.

The NFOS category has few players in the market and is region oriented. The industry produces for its national market so we are often subject to their business strategy with very low leverage of negotiation.

MSF struggle to access the UK market, which produce English labelled products. The reason being that companies oblige MSF ESCs to source via French and/or Belgian market(s), which produce only French labelled products.

Destination countries’ enforced constraints create new and unpredicted importation restrictions on MSF goods, therefore calling for global and more sustainable solutions.

Supply rupture affecting the following articles:

• NFOSTHMIF7O40 : LAIT THERAPEUTIQUE, F75, poudre, 400g

• NFOSTHMIF1O40 : LAIT THERAPEUTIQUE, F100, poudre, 400g

Sudden increase in global demand for these articles has instantly narrowed access for customers with unplanned needs.

More than ever and specifically for NFOS articles, supply sustainability comes from anticipation, therefore the forecasting of needs is essential to ensure dedicated availability at production sites.

The MSF core team composed of procurement experts, technical referents and MSF’s supply centers are making solid efforts to mitigate the negative effects of current challenges.

A)
For NFOSINFO1AO80 : INFANT FORMULA, 1st age, powder, 800g

A first common order to a newly identified supplier (through global tender process) is imminent. The new version provided (French/English/Arabic labels with CoA) will be available in early 2023 and based on missions’ historical consumption.

In parallel, this core team is also working to validate alternative suppliers by 1st semester of 2023.

For the rest of articles affected by CoA and English labelling: there are no immediate solutions in view; however the core team is investigating solutions. A long reply lead time is expected as it depends on reactivity of providers and we need proper time for their replies’ analysis.

B)
For NFOSTHMIF7O40 : THERAPEUTIC MILK, F75, powder, 400g

and NFOSTHMIF1O40 : THERAPEUTIC MILK, F100, powder, 400g

Active negotiations are held to receive the ordered quantities, recently postponed by months as unplanned on production lines.

Although, in the absence of planning, our only current supplier, well aware of our shortage, makes punctual deliveries to help us supply our missions.

In parallel, efforts are also made to identify and validate alternative solutions/suppliers, in order to diversify supply sources.  

NFOS market has become more and more challenging in the past months and the global trend does not really show signs of improvement.

With growing demand on NFOS products, production lead-times have increased up to 4 months from order on certain articles (in addition to usual delivery delays).

Therefore, all manufacturers are advising MSF supply centers to send orders in a more extensive advanced time as to secure NFOS products’ availability, price and delivery.

Finally, as suppliers request a forecast to cover MSF missions’ needs, that information remains essential.

In order to meet current and future NFOS challenges, we need you more than ever. Please kindly remember that anticipation at all levels is key to overall success of the supply chain.

Only the forecast of needs, guaranteeing exclusive production, can assures missions of a timely availability for a product.

Only the advanced orders, secured through the forecast of needs, can ensures to MSF missions the best conditions and delays for a product.

We would like to count on your comprehension and to thank you for your trust in our teams.

Keep us informed on your needs, in the meantime we will share further highlights in the coming months.