Storage & Distribution

Proper storage and efficient distribution of contraceptive supplies is essential to a functional supply chain. The focus should always be on providing contraceptives to clients, not just moving them from Point A to Point B and then letting them sit on shelves. Health commodities go through a number of processes, including testing and repacking, before they reach service delivery points and, ultimately, clients. To ensure quality, contraceptives must be stored correctly--in a clean, well-ventilated area away from excessive heat, direct sunlight, and water--at all times and then distributed in a timely manner using a transport system that provides regular, complete coverage of all facilities in the supply chain.

Waste Management

Health care waste-- for example, used needles--can be hazardous and infectious. Good practices for handling and disposing of health care waste must be established and enforced in any family planning program. As illustrated in the graphic to the right, the USAID | DELIVER Project identifies four key steps in health care waste management:

1. Minimization
2. Segregation
3. Storage & transport
4. Disposal

This section of the Toolkit provides guidelines, a video, and other instructional materials to guide the implementation of proper storage, distribution, and waste disposal procedures for contraceptive supplies. You can also find country experiences improving distribution systems to ensure contraceptives reach clients efficiently.

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