The UNICEF Supply Catalogue, available online, contains detailed specifications for some 2,000 products, as well as technical bulletins. Additional information on commodities, including packing, shipping and delivery information can be found in the brochure Commodities and Supply Services.
Mosquito nets, insecticides and malaria medicines
Vaccines and safe injection materials
Cold-chain equipment
Medical devices – consumables and equipment
Pharmaceuticals and micronutrients
HIV-related medicines and diagnostics
Water, environment and sanitation
Education equipment
Mosquito nets, insecticides and malaria medicines
UNICEF is an active member of the Roll Back Malaria partnership, and the world’s largest buyer of mosquito nets. Bulk orders and long-term arrangements with manufacturers of insecticide-treated mosquito nets and insecticide treatment kits have reduced the price level considerately – giving greater value and contributing to the sustainability of malaria programmes. Supply Division works with manufacturers, promoting initiatives to secure the supply of malaria medicines and quality nets in the future, and encourage technology-sharing. UNICEF endorses the use of long-lasting insecticidal nets. All UNICEF-procured nets must comply with WHO Pesticide Evaluation Scheme (WHOPES) approved standards.
P.falciparum (brain) malaria is widespread, particularly in Africa, and causes nearly all malaria-related deaths. For over two decades, resistance to commonly-used drugs for this type of malaria has been an evolving public health challenge to malaria control in Africa. Many countries are shifting emphasis from chloroquine and its replacements such as pyrimethamine/sulfadoxine to artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). As a result, there has been a significant increase in the procurement of these new therapies. In 2011, Supply Division procured 30.4 million ACT treatments, primarily for countries in Africa.
Ongoing collaboration with manufacturers and partners ensures that UNICEF keeps at the forefront of market developments and that future country requirements are forecasted accurately.
Further information on the products and services UNICEF provides for the prevention and treatment of malaria is available in the brochure Commodities and Supply Services.
Vaccines and safe injection materials
In 2011, UNICEF supplied vaccines reaching 36 per cent of the world's children, worth $1.03 billion. Supply Division is responsible for procuring vaccines on behalf of the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI).
Because of market conditions unique to the vaccine industry, Supply Division and partners have implemented several mechanisms to ensure that vaccine security – the sustained, uninterrupted supply of affordable vaccines, especially for the poorest countries – is maximized. This is reflected in the strict guidelines determining which countries can procure vaccines through UNICEF.
UNICEF procures a range of primarily basic vaccines, including, measles, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, tuberculosis, hepatitis B, HiB and polio in single and multi-dose vials.
The Organization is committed to safe injection, and promotes the use of auto-disable syringes, or single-dose pre-filled auto-disable devices. Supply Division also procures safety boxes for the disposal of used syringes.
Further information on the vaccine and safe injection materials and related services UNICEF provides is available in the brochure Commodities and Supply Services.
UNICEF has developed unparalleled market experience and knowledge in the procurement and supply of vaccines and related products, such as cold-chain equipment and spare parts. Equipment is only one element of an effective cold-chain system. Competent personnel and efficient procedures are also vital. Supply Division has a specialized team of immunization and cold-chain staff that can provide comprehensive technical and procurement support, including selecting the most appropriate supplies.
Further information on the cold-chain equipment and related services UNICEF provides is available in the brochure Commodities and Supply Services.
Medical devices – consumables and equipment
The provision of safe, good quality medical devices at reasonable prices is essential to the delivery of quality healthcare to mothers and children. UNICEF’s comprehensive range of essential medical devices is detailed in the UNICEF Supply Catalogue. Most of these items are stocked in the Supply Division warehouse in Copenhagen, ready for rapid delivery.
Pre-packed kits such as the emergency health kit, midwifery kit, and obstetric surgical kit, with optional supplements are available. These kits have been developed based on many years of UNICEF experience, and have been extensively field tested by the organization. Customized set packing is also undertaken upon request.
Further information regarding medical equipment and related services is available in the brochure Commodities and Supply Services. This guide is a 20 page document developed by UNICEF to facilitate the procurement process for medical devices and supplies for primary and district-level health services.
Pharmaceuticals and micronutrients
Essential medicines provide safe, effective treatment for all the most common infectious and chronic diseases. Essential medicines programmes reduce morbidity and mortality by ensuring the accessibility, rational use, and quality of medicines. The products available in the UNICEF Supply Catalogue have been selected from the WHO Model List of Essential Drugs, published in the Technical Report Series 882. Most of these are stocked in Copenhagen - ready for set packing and/or rapid delivery.
Because the procurement and distribution of these supplies is complex, Supply Division has a specialized HIV/AIDS and Health Centre to assist in project and product specifications. Suppliers must have current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) licences, and Supply Division itself has a Good Distribution Practice (GDP) licence from the Danish Medicines Agency. The Supply Division warehouse in Copenhagen is the only United Nations warehouse licensed to wholesale pharmaceutical products in accordance with the European Community Guidelines on Good Distribution Practice of Medicinal Products for Human Use.
Further information on the pharmaceuticals and micronutrient products and related services UNICEF provides is available in the brochure Commodities and Supply Services.
HIV-related medicines and diagnostics
UNICEF uses its global supply network to procure and deliver HIV-related medicines and diagnostics, including ARVs, to projects in Africa, Asia, Eastern & Central Europe, Latin American & the Caribbean. In 2011, UNICEF procured 20.8 million HIV rapid diagnostic test kits, 19 million packs of antiretrovirals and $7.4 million worth of co-trimoxazole.
Together with partners, UNICEF produces the annual publication ‘Sources and Prices of selected medicines and diagnostics for people living with HIV/AIDS’ to ensure that procurement agencies are fully informed of product developments and obtain the best prices for diagnostics and medicines.
More detailed guidelines on how to procure HIV/AIDS-related supplies and services from UNICEF are available – Ordering antiretroviral medicines. Further information, including medicines for the prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections and opportunistic infections is available from the following link.
Water, environment and sanitation
Providing children, their families and communities with safe water and sanitation facilities is essential to early childhood development and in many instances to keeping children in school.
UNICEF has the capacity to provide most of the services and/or commodities required for full water cycle coverage, including, but not limited to the following activities: reconnaissance, water collection, water treatment, water distribution and storage, sanitation, and testing.
Supply Division has also developed a family water kit.
Further information on these items and the related services UNICEF provides is available in the brochure Commodities and Supply Services.
Access to appropriate educational supplies is essential to the fulfilment of children’s right to education. For many decades UNICEF has worked with governments to provide appropriate learning materials for children. Supply Division offers a range of supply services for education, including basic procurement, developing product specifications, sourcing suppliers, giving guidance in ethical procurement, offering complete supply solutions, printing services, and emergency assistance.
UNICEF has developed three kits – the School-in-a-Box , Recreation kit and Early Childhood Development Kit - which are suited to providing educational and recreational opportunities in emergency situations, and in development contexts. Other assistance, such as in planning and building the physical structure of a school, providing a safe educational environment for children, is also available.
Further information on the education equipment and related services UNICEF provides is available in the brochure Commodities and Supply Services.
