WHO and Partners Drive Improved Alignment for Effective NTD and Supply Chain Delivery

The World Health Organization (WHO), together with ministries of health, pharmaceutical donors, implementing partners and technical support platforms, convened three back-to-back meetings in Geneva on 22-25 September 2026 to strengthen coordination for neglected tropical disease (NTD) programmes and medicines supply chains. The meetings - the NTD Supply Chain Forum (NTD-SCF), the Supply Chain Technical Support Mechanism (SCTSM) and the Global Coordination and Stewardship Committee (GCSC) - brought together global, regional and national stakeholders to review progress, address persistent supply chain challenges and prepare for the changing environment toward and beyond 2030.

Discussions throughout the week focused on improving forecasting and supply planning, strengthening data visibility and accountability, reducing delays in the movement of medicines, improving alignment with national systems, and identifying supply chain risks early enough for countries and partners to act.

Country experiences demonstrated measurable improvements. The eight SCTSM priority countries have now developed validated NTD supply chain standard operating procedures, compared with three countries when the initiative began. Uganda reported reducing customs-clearance time from approximately 90 days to 20 days, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo reported a 63% reduction in clearance time and no demurrage during the period discussed. Kenya, Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo have been the first to lead rotating country coordination meetings, supporting greater exchange of practical experience.

Multi-year forecasting was another major focus, with four countries presenting forecasts extending toward 2030. The GCSC meeting concluded the week with a focus on global stewardship, including a proposed evidence and performance framework drawing on sources such as NTDeliver, Joint Application Package metrics and country feedback, as well as end-to-end accountability for donated medicines from forecasting and ordering through shipment, distribution and use. Participants also examined the increasing integration of NTD activities with other health campaigns and the importance of beginning transition planning early, as medicine donations and external programme financing may change beyond 2030.

For pharmaceutical suppliers and procurement partners engaged in public health programmes, the meetings underline where buyer expectations are heading: reliable multi-year forecasting, transparent inventory data, faster customs clearance and integration with national logistics systems. Suppliers able to provide accurate lead times, complete regulatory documentation and consistent quality assurance will be best positioned as NTD programmes tighten coordination. Artemisine Medicines Technology supports buyers with documented quality systems and dependable export logistics for priority markets in Africa and Asia.

Source: WHO, WHO and partners drive improved alignment for effective NTD and supply chain delivery, https://www.who.int/news/item/13-10-2026-who-and-partners-drive-improved-alignment-for-effective-ntd-and-supply-chain-delivery