In October 2024, six Technical Advisors were in Nairobi, Kenya, for the Global Drug Facility (GDF) Regional Quantification Workshop on TB Medicines. Hosted by USAID, this workshop focused on enhancing TB treatment through advanced quantification tools, QuanTB, to support timely and efficient supply chains for essential medicines.
The QuanTB tool, developed under the STOP TB Partnership and supported by USAID, has been a powerful asset in managing TB treatment quantification for over a decade. During the workshop, participants gained hands-on experience with the tool’s capabilities, such as forecasting demand, planning costs, and developing actionable insights for adopting new TB treatment regimens. The tool's intuitive design allows stakeholders to model various scenarios, adapting as new medicines are introduced.
Alongside learning technical skills, attendees also engaged in thematic discussions and case studies, sharing solutions for common challenges like local procurement and averting drug shortages. Each country developed action plans tailored to address specific gaps in forecasting and quantification within their respective TB programs, fostering a proactive approach to inventory and distribution management.
“The workshop enabled us to standardize practices and align our quantification efforts with regional and global targets. Also, the presentations from the counties and panel discussions on averting drug stock out, local procurement-related data management, and product distribution systems were very useful and the best practices were learned,” said the TAs.
The workshop wasn’t just about mastering tools; it was about building a collaborative network across borders. Representatives from over 33 African countries connected with GDF staff, gaining insights into global best practices and learning from one another. This network strengthens the regional response to TB, promoting unified standards and innovations in medicine quantification.
Through collaboration, innovation, and practical skill-building, this workshop empowered health professionals to enhance TB medicine accessibility, minimizing shortages and strengthening TB treatment for communities in need.
