By the end of 2006, about 2 million people living with HIV/AIDS were receiving antiretroviral therapy in low- and middle-income countries—a dramatic 54 percent increase over the year before. Ensuring that essential medicines, HIV test kits, laboratory supplies and other health products are continuously available when they are needed is an ongoing imperative.

Funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), SCMS brings together 16 private sector, nongovernmental and faith-based organizations that are among the most trusted names in supply chain management and international public health and development. With offices in 17 countries and 350 dedicated staff members around the world, we are helping to improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS in some of the countries most severely impacted by the pandemic. SCMS procures essential medicines and supplies at affordable prices; helps strengthen and build reliable, secure and sustainable supply chain systems; and fosters coordination of key stakeholders.

• Working with and strengthening existing systems, not creating parallel or duplicate systems
• Building local capacity, empowering in-country partners to enhance and develop sustainable and appropriate responses for their own communities
• Delivering quality HIV/AIDS medicines and supplies at the best value by leveraging industry best practices for planning, procurement, storage and distribution
• Promoting transparency to ensure accurate and timely supply chain information is collected, shared and used to improve decision making
• Collaborating with in-country and international partners to identify needs, fill gaps, avoid duplication and share best practices