Humanitarian
Health Care
Logistics
FRAMEWORK
G. Mc GUIRE
April2011
Corresponds to Handbook of Humanitarian Health Care Logistics APR 2011.pdf
This document was downloaded free of charge from the website
Further free distribution is desirable and encouraged
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Overview of contents
OVERVIEW OF CONTENTS
OVERVIEW OF CONTENTS...... I
OVERVIEW OF FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE...... III
TABLE OF CONTENTS...... V
FIGURES AND PHOTOGRAPHS...... x
TABLES...... x
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS...... x
1INTRODUCTION...... 1
A HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
2HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE STRATEGY...... x
3HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT...... x
4INFORMATION MANAGEMENT...... x
5COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT...... x
6RISK MANAGEMENT...... x
B SUPPLY NETWORK DESIGN
7LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK...... x
8ITEM SELECTION STRATEGY...... x
9SOURCING STRATEGY...... x
10FACILITY NETWORK DESIGN STRATEGY...... x
11PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY...... x
12CUSTOMER SERVICEMANAGEMENT...... x
13PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY...... x
CSUPPLY CHAIN PLANNING
14TACTICAL PLANNING...... x
15ITEM SELECTION...... x
16SOURCING...... x
17SETTING UP MEDICAL STORAGE FACILITIES IN THE FIELD...... x
18COLLABORATIVE PLANNING AND FORECASTING...... x
19DEMAND ANALYSIS...... x
20DEMAND FORECASTING...... x
21INVENTORY CONTROL...... x
22STOCK POSITIONING OF ITEMS...... x
23PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION...... x
24CUSTOMER SERVICE PLAN...... x
25LOGISTICS EVALUATION...... x
26PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM...... x
C SUPPLY CHAIN OPERATIONS
27ORDER PLACEMENT...... x
28PURCHASING TRANSACTIONS...... x
29WAREHOUSE AND STORES MANAGEMENT...... x
30WAREHOUSE AND STORES OPERATIONS...... x
31STOCK REPLENISHMENT...... x
32TRANSPORTATIONAND DISTRIBUTION TO CUSTOMERS...... x
33REVERSE LOGISTICS...... x
34ORDER FULFILMENT...... x
35PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT...... x
36CLOSING LOGISTICS OPERATIONS...... x
GLOSSARY...... x
BIBLIOGRAPHY...... x
Overview of framework structure
OVERVIEW OF FRAMEWORK STRUCTURE
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Table of contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1INTRODUCTION...... 1
A HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
2HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE STRATEGY...... x
2.1Description of humanitarian organization and its activities...... x
2.2Medical assistance...... x
2.3Objectives...... x
2.3.1Objectives towards donors and the public...... x
2.3.2Objectives towards recipients...... x
2.3.3Management objectives...... x
2.4Context and constraints...... x
2.4.1Humanitarian organizations...... x
2.4.2Less developed countries...... x
2.4.3Complex political emergencies...... x
2.5Material assistance framework...... x
3HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGEMENT...... x
3.1Human resources strategy...... x
3.2Human resources capacities...... x
3.2.1Qualifications...... x
3.2.2Recruitment...... x
3.2.3Employment...... x
3.2.4Personal files...... x
3.2.5Staff regulations...... x
3.2.6Job description...... x
3.2.7Staff and career development...... x
3.2.8Training...... x
3.2.9Staff visibility...... x
3.2.10Stress...... x
3.3Human resources administration...... x
3.3.1Briefing and staff orientation...... x
3.3.2Motivation...... x
3.3.3Supervision...... x
3.3.4Attendance...... x
3.3.5Reporting...... x
3.3.6Meetings...... x
3.3.7Staff appraisal...... x
3.3.8Terminating employment...... x
4INFORMATION MANAGEMENT...... x
4.1Information systems strategy...... x
4.2Information systems and applications...... x
4.2.1Software applications...... x
4.2.2Logistics applications...... x
4.2.3Management information systems...... x
4.2.4Examples of applications developed for humanitarian assistance...... x
4.2.5Other information systems...... x
4.3Information systems administration...... x
4.3.1Data sources and collection...... x
4.3.2Generating information...... x
4.3.3Flow and distribution of information...... x
4.3.4Record keeping and data storage...... x
5COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT...... x
5.1Communication systems strategy...... x
5.2Communication systems and networks...... x
5.2.1Text communication...... x
5.2.2Radio networks...... x
5.2.3Radio bands...... x
5.2.4Telephony...... x
5.2.5Power supply systems...... x
5.3Communication systems operations...... x
6RISK MANAGEMENT...... x
6.1Risk management strategy...... x
6.2Security plan...... x
6.3Coping with security threats...... x
6.4Safety risks and measures...... x
7LOGISTICS AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK...... x
7.1Logistics and supply chain management objectives...... x
7.2Trade-offs between objectives...... x
7.3Framework dimensions...... x
8ITEM SELECTION STRATEGY...... x
8.1Policy on accepting in-kind donations...... x
8.2Logistical requirements for health care goods...... x
8.3Variety control and reduction...... x
8.4Standard item catalogue...... x
8.5Summary of item selection strategy...... x
9SOURCING STRATEGY...... x
9.1Policy for qualification of products and manufacturers...... x
9.2Dual versus multiple sourcing...... x
9.3Centralized versus decentralized purchasing...... x
9.4Width of supplier base...... x
9.5Management of donations...... x
9.6Summary of sourcing strategy...... x
10FACILITY NETWORK DESIGN STRATEGY...... x
10.1Reasons for holding stock...... x
10.2Storage facility location...... x
10.3Site selection...... x
10.4Storage facility location...... x
10.5Ownership of storage facilities...... x
10.6Contingency planning...... x
10.7Summary of facility network design strategy...... x
11PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY...... x
11.1Physical distribution channels...... x
11.2Transportation contingency planning...... x
11.3Mode of transportation...... x
11.4Ownership of transportation means...... x
11.5Summary of physical distribution strategy...... x
12CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGEMENT...... x
12.1Customer service policy...... x
12.2Donor reporting policy...... x
13PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY...... x
13.1Objectives of performance measurement...... x
13.2Process of performance measurement...... x
13.3Performance measurement dimensions...... x
13.4Requirements for a performance management system...... x
13.5Business intelligence...... x
13.6Performance management framework...... x
B SUPPLY NETWORK DESIGN
14TACTICAL PLANNING...... x
14.1Logistics assessment...... x
14.2Emergency intervention plan...... x
14.3National health care logistics plan...... x
15ITEM SELECTION...... x
15.1Quality requirements...... x
15.2National standard list...... x
15.3Determining contingency stocks...... x
16SOURCING...... x
16.1Market assessment and supplier registration...... x
16.2Purchasing method...... x
16.3Product and supplier selection...... x
16.4Purchase contracts...... x
16.5Domestic purchase...... x
16.6Matching supply and demand of donations...... x
17SETTING UP MEDICAL STORAGE FACILITIES IN THE FIELD...... x
17.1Storage requirements...... x
17.2Storage systems...... x
17.3Unit load systems...... x
17.4Storage equipment...... x
17.5Cold storage...... x
17.6Storage of dangerous goods...... x
17.7Materials handling systems...... x
17.8Other warehouse equipment...... x
17.9Other warehouse facilities...... x
17.10Utilities...... x
17.11Stores layout...... x
17.12Expanding the storage capacity...... x
17.13Site layout...... x
18COLLABORATIVE PLANNING AND FORECASTING...... x
18.1Levels of collaborative planning...... x
18.2Involvement of logisticians in planning of health programmes...... x
18.3Converting unpredictable into predictable demand...... x
18.4Demand shaping...... x
18.5Measures for preventing and reducing the extent of demand distortion...... x
19DEMAND ANALYSIS...... x
19.1Demand data...... x
19.2Demand aggregation...... x
19.3Time series analysis...... x
19.4Demand distributions...... x
20DEMAND FORECASTING...... x
20.1Forecasting horizon and forecasting period...... x
20.2Selection of forecasting methods...... x
20.3Measurement of forecasting accuracy...... x
21INVENTORY CONTROL...... x
21.1Elements of inventory control system...... x
21.2Selection of inventory control system...... x
21.3Managing stockouts...... x
21.4Managing excess stock...... x
21.5Use of information systems...... x
22STOCK POSITIONING OF ITEMS...... x
22.1Contingency stock positioning...... x
23PHYSICAL DISTRIBUTION ...... x
23.1Distribution systems...... x
23.2Importation and exportation...... x
23.2.1Internationally controlled drug products...... x
23.2.2Managing the effects of sanctions...... x
23.3Selection of mode of transportation...... x
23.4Outsourcing of transportation capacities...... x
23.5Selection of means of transportation...... x
23.6Vehicle fleet management...... x
23.7Dangerous goods...... x
24CUSTOMER SERVICE PLAN...... x
24.1Developing a customer service plan...... x
24.2"Push" and "Pull" ordering...... x
25LOGISTICS EVALUATION...... x
26PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM...... x
26.1Metrics...... x
26.1.1Statistics...... x
26.1.2Requirements for performance metrics...... x
26.1.3Quantitative performance metrics...... x
26.1.4Qualitative performance metrics...... x
26.1.5Time based process mapping (TBPM)...... x
26.2Performance measurement...... x
26.2.1Selecting key performance indicators...... x
26.2.2Determining benchmarks...... x
26.2.3Setting performance targets...... x
26.2.4Performance monitoring...... x
26.3Analysis of results...... x
26.3.1Comparison with performance targets...... x
26.3.2Time series analysis of values...... x
26.3.3Comparison with other services and locations...... x
26.3.4Identifying causes of poor performance...... x
26.4Presentation of measurements...... x
26.5Reporting and communicating results...... x
26.6Corrective action...... x
26.6.1Time compression...... x
D SUPPLY CHAIN PLANNING
27ORDER PLACEMENT ...... x
28PURCHASING TRANSACTIONS...... x
28.1Obtaining requirements...... x
28.2Purchasing method...... x
28.3Tendering process...... x
28.4Purchase contracts...... x
28.5Supplier evaluation...... x
28.6Information management...... x
29WAREHOUSE AND STORES MANAGEMENT...... x
29.1Warehouse security...... x
29.2Warehouse safety...... x
29.3Warehouse staff...... x
29.4Housekeeping and maintenance...... x
29.5Record keeping...... x
29.6Protection of goods...... x
29.7Storage of health care goods...... x
29.8Physical stock counts...... x
30WAREHOUSE AND STORES OPERATIONS...... x
30.1Receipt of health care goods...... x
30.2Sampling plan...... x
30.3Inspection...... x
30.4Put-away...... x
30.5Storage...... x
30.6Order picking...... x
30.7Packing...... x
30.8Cold chain equipment...... x
30.9Staging of consignments...... x
30.10Loading and dispatch...... x
31STOCK REPLENISHMENT...... x
31.1Updating customer demand data...... x
31.2Preparing a demand forecast...... x
31.3Updating elements of the inventory control system...... x
31.4Preparing replenishment orders...... x
32TRANSPORTATION AND DISTRIBUTION...... x
32.1International transportation...... x
32.2Customs clearance...... x
32.3Means of transportation...... x
32.4Protection of health care goods during transportation...... x
32.5Transportation of dangerous goods...... x
32.6Routing and scheduling...... x
32.7Transportation...... x
33REVERSE LOGISTICS...... x
33.1Reasons for reverse flows...... x
33.2Management of reverse flows...... x
33.2Processing unusable health care goods...... x
33.3Disposal methods...... x
34ORDER FULFILMENT...... x
34.1Processing customer orders...... x
34.2Delivery to customers...... x
34.3Order follow-up...... x
34.4Donor reporting...... x
35PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT...... x
35.1Performance measurement...... x
35.2Performance monitoring...... x
35.3Analysis of results...... x
36CLOSING LOGISTICS OPERATIONS...... x
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Figures and photographs
FIGURES AND PHOTOGRAPHS
2.1Assistance - Logistics strategy framework ...... x
2.2Stages of supply networks of the domestic health system...... x
2.3Strategies for providing material assistance to health care facilities...... x
2.4Scope and scale of provided items...... x
7.1Aspects of time, distance and criticality...... x
8.1Item selection strategy...... x
9.1Dual versus multiple sourcing...... x
9.2Centralized versus decentralized purchasing...... x
9.3Sourcing strategy...... x
9.4Width of supplier basis...... x
9.5Sourcing strategy...... x
10.1Facility network design strategy...... x
11.1Physical distribution channels...... x
11.2Criteria for ownership of transportation means...... x
11.3Physical distribution strategy...... x
12.1Customer service strategy...... x
15.1Development of national standard lists...... x
16.1Framework for selecting purchasing methods...... x
22.1Criteria for stock positioning...... x
22.2Stock positioning of items...... x
23.1Selection criteria for modes of transportation...... x
23.2Criteria for selecting road vehicles...... x
Figures and photographs
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Tables
TABLES
6.1Types of security risks...... x
7.1Framework management levels...... x
13.1Process of performance management...... x
13.2Measurement dimensions...... x
13.3Requirements for performance measurement systems...... x
13.4Performance management framework...... x
23.1Customer service elements...... x
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Abbreviations and acronyms
ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS
A
A/Cair-conditioning, aircraft
ACair-conditioning, alternating current
AC/DCalternating current / direct current
AhAmpere hour
ANCante natal care
APIactive pharmaceutical ingredient
APRadjustable pallet racking
AQLacceptable quality level
ARIMAautoregressive integrated moving average
ARMAautoregressive moving average
ASNAdvance Shipping Notice (Notification)
ATAAdmission Temporaire/Temporary Admission, actual time of arrival
ATDactual time of departure
AWBair waybill
B
B/Lbill of lading
BGANBroadband Global Area Network
BNFBritish National Formulary
BOMbill of materials, beginning of mission
BPBritish Pharmacopoeia, blood pressure
BSBritish standard
Bs/Lbills of lading
BSIBritish Standards Institution
BThUBritish thermal unit
BtuBritish thermal unit
BWbody weight, bonded warehouse
C
CCelsius
ca.circa (about)
CBFAcommunity based first aid
CBFLTcounterbalanced forklift truck
CCCCustoms Cooperation Council
CCMcold chain monitor (card)
CDcompact disc
CDCCenter for Disease Control and Prevention
CDDcontrol of diarrhoeal diseases
CD-ROMcompact disc read-only memory
CEConformité Européene
CEOChief Executive Officer
CFCchlorofluorocarbon
CFRCost and Freight
cGMPcurrent good manufacturing practice
CHCharier
CHEcomplex humanitarian emergency
CHFSwiss Francs
CHWcommunity health worker
CIFCost, Insurance and Freight
CIPCarriage and Insurance Paid to
CISGContracts for the International Sale of Goods
CMScentral medical store
COSHHControl of Substances Hazardous to Health
CoVcoefficient of variation
CPDCarnet de Passage en Duane
CPEcomplex political emergency
CPICorruption Perception Index
CPPcertificate of pharmaceutical product
CPTCarriage Paid To
CPUcentral processing unit
CRclaim report
CSLcustomer service level
CSSDcentral sterile supplies department
CUSUMcumulative sum
CVcurriculum vitae
D
Ddiameter
DAFDelivered At Frontier
DAPAction Programme on Essential Drugs
dBdecibel
DBdatabase
DBAdatabase administrator
DCdistribution centre, direct current
DDPDelivered Duty Paid
DDUDelivered Duty Unpaid
DECdecimal (measurement for diameter of sutures)
DEQDelivered Ex Quay
DESDelivered Ex Ship
DGdangerous goods
DGDdangerous goods declaration
DINDeutsches Institut für Normung (German national Standards Organization)
DMdisaster management
DMAdouble moving averages
DMFdrug master file
DMISdrug management information system
DMOdistrict medical officer
DNAdeoxyribonucleic acid
DOSdays of supply
DPdisplaced person
DRAdrug regulatory authority
DRP IIdistribution resources planning
DRPdistribution requirements planning
E
EANEuropean Article Number
ECEuropean Commission
ECHOEuropean Community Humanitarian Office
ECRefficient consumer response
EDAexpected date of arrival
EDDearliest due date
EDIelectronic data interchange
EDLessential drug list
EDPextended delivery point
EMSemergency medical service
EMTemergency medical technician
ENEuropean norms
ENTear, nose and throat
EOethylene oxide
EOIeconomic order interval, expression of interest
EOMend of mission
EOQeconomic order quantity
EPEuropean Pharmacopoeia
EPIExpanded Programme on Immunization
ERPenterprise resource planning, economic review period
ERTemergency response team
ERUemergency response unit
ETAestimated time of arrival
ETDestimated time of departure
ETOethylene oxide
EUEuropean Union
EWMAexponentially weighted moving average
EXWEx Works
F
FAfirst aid
FAOFood and Agriculture Organization
FAPfirst aid post
FASFree Alongside Ship
FCAFree Carrier
FCFSfirst come, first served
FCLfull container load
FDAFood and Drug Administration
FEFOfirst expiry, first out
FGFrench gauge (catheter scale, diameter)
FIFOfirst in, first out
FILOfirst in, last out
FLTforklift truck
FOBFree On Board
FOCfree of charge
FOTfree on truck
FRFrench (catheter scale, diameter)
FTLfull truckload
FWfreeze watch indicator
G
GGauge
GAgeneral anaesthesia
GAVIGlobal Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization
GDDPgood drug donation practice
GDPgood distribution practice, gross domestic product
GenSetgenerator set
GHgeneral hospital
GHTFGlobal Harmonization Taks Force
GIGOgarbage in, garbage out
GMPgood manufacturing practice
GMTGreenwich Mean Time, Greenwich Meridian Time
GNPgross national product
GPgeneral practitioner
GPSGlobal Positioning System
GRTgross registered tonnage
GSMGlobal System for Mobile communications
GSPgood storage practices
GTDPgood trade and distribution practices
GVWgross vehicle weight
H
HAhumanitarian assistance
HChealth centre
HCFChydrochlorofluorocarbon
HCVhepatitis C virus
HDPEhigh density polyethylene
HDVheavy-duty vehicle
HEPAhigh efficiency particulate air [filter]
HFhigh frequency
HGVheavy goods vehicle
HIShealth information system
HPhorsepower
HPLChigh-performance (or high-pressure) liquid chromatography
HRheart rate, human resources
HzHertz
I
IASinternational accounting standards
IATAInternational Air Transport Association
IBCintermediate bulk container
ICAOInternational Civil Aviation Organization
ICBinternational competitive bidding
ICCInternational Chamber of Commerce
ICHInternational Conference on Harmonisation (of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use)
ICTinformation and communication technology
ICUintensive care unit
IDintradermal, identification, inside diameter
IDAInternational Dispensary Association
IDPinternally displaced person
IEHKinteragency emergency health kit
IFBinvitation for bids
IFRinstrument flying regulations
IHLInternational Humanitarian Law
I/Limport licence
ILOInternational Labour Organization
ILRice-lined refrigerator
IMARSATInternational Maritime Satellite Organization
INCBInternational Narcotics Control Board
INCO (term)international commercial (term)
INGOinternational non-governmental organization
INNinternational nonproprietary name
IOinternational organization
IOMInternational Organization for Migration
IPInternational Pharmacopoeia, ice-pack
ISOInternational Standards Organization
ITinformation technology
ITRinventory turn ratio
ITSH(inland) internal transport, storage and handling
ITTinvitation to tender
ITUInternational Telecommunication Union
IUinternational unit
IVBImmunization, Vaccine and Biologicals (World Health Organization)
J
Jjoule
JITjust-in-time
JPJapanese Pharmacopoeia
K
kkilo-
KKilo- (computing), potassium (element)
kbkilobar
KBkilobyte
kgkilogram
kHzkilohertz
kJkilojoule
kmkilometre
kmphkilometres per hour
kPAkilo Pascal
kphkilometres per hour
KPIkey performance indicator
kVkilovolt
kVAkilovolt-ampere
kWkilowatt
kWhkilowatt hour
L
llitre
Lleft, litre
L&Dloss and damage
LANlocal-area network
LCland cruiser, landing craft, letter of credit, liquid chromatography
L/Cletter of credit
LCAlogistics capacity assessment
LCDliquid-crystal display
LCLless-than-carload lot, less-than-container load, lower control limit
Ldlimited (company)
LDCless developed country
ldsloads
LED light-emitting diode
LEOSlow earth orbit satellite
LIFOlast in, first out
LIFRline item fill rate
LILOlast in, last out
LLDCleast developed countries
LLDPElinear low density polyethylene
LP gasliquid propane gas
LPGliquefied petroleum gas
LPMlitres per minute
LQLlimiting quality level
LRRDlinking relief, rehabilitation and development
LSBlower side band
LSTlocal standard time
LTLless-than-truckload-lot
LTSHlandside transport, storage and handling
LWlong wave
M
mmetre, milli-, million, molality
m²square metre
m³cubic metre
mAmilliampere
MAmoving average
MADmean absolute deviation
MAEmean absolute error
MAPEmean average percentage error
mbmillibar
MBmegabyte
mbarmillibar
MCHmother and child health
MDmedicinae doctor (doctor of medicine)
MEmean error
MEFOmost exposed, first out (VVM)
MESmobile earth station
MESCMaterial and Equipment Standards and Code
MFAMinistry of Foreign Affairs
mgmilligram, morning
MHEmechanical handling equipment
MHzmegahertz
min.minimum, minute
Min.ministry
MISmanagement information system
MKTmean kinetic temperature
mlmillilitre
mmmillimetre
mmHgmillimetre of mercury
mmolmillimole
MoDMinistry of Defence
MODEMmodulator demodulator
MOFMinistry of Finance
MOHMinistry of Health
MOPHMinistry of Public Health
MOQminimum order quantity
MoTMinistry of Transport
MOUmemorandum of understanding
mPamilli Pascal
MPEmean percentage error
MPHMaster of Public Health
mphmiles per hour
MPPmultisource pharmaceutical product
MRPmaterial requirements planning
MRPIImanufacturing resource planning
MScmaster of science
MSDmean squared deviation
MSEmean squared error
MSFMédecins sans Frontières
mtmetric ton
mVmillivolt
mWmilliwatt
MWmegawatt
M/Wmidwife
N
nnano-
Nnewton, population (statistics)
n/anot applicable, not available
N/Anot available
NBSNational Bureau of Standards
NBTSNational Blood Transfusion Service
NDnormal distribution
NEDLnational essential drug list
NEHKNew Emergency Health Kit
NF1naive forecast 1
NF2naive forecast 2
NGOnon-governmental organization
NHSNational Health Service
NIDnational immunization day
NSAIDnon-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
NVOCCnonvessel operating common carriers
O
OBVocean boarding vessel
OCorganization chart
OCHAOffice for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (United Nations)
OCTorder cycle time
O/Don deck
OECDOrganization for Economic Cooperation and Development
OEMoriginal equipment manufacturer
OFRorder fill rate
OPDoutpatients' department
OPVoral polio vaccine
ORoperations research
OTCover-the-counter
OTIFon-time, in-full
OULorder-up-to-level
P
p.page
PABXprivate automatic branch exchange
PACTORPACket radio and amTOR (combination of)
PAHOPan American Health Organization
PAXprivate automatic telephone exchange
PBXprivate automatic branch exchange
PCpersonal computer
PDMphysical distribution management
PEpolyethylene
PEPpeak envelope power, post-exposure prophylaxis
PETpolyethylene terephthalate
pHacidity / alkalinity scale
PHpublic health
PHCprimary health care
PICPharmaceutical Inspection Convention
PISproduct information sheet
PLpacking list
PLMNpublic land mobile network
PMRprivate mobile radio
PODplace of delivery
POMprescription only medicines
POPplaster of Paris [bandage]
POWprisoner of war
PPpolypropylene
PPMplanned preventive maintenance
PQSPerformance, Quality, Safety
PSpolystyrene
psipounds per square inch
PSTNpublic switched telephone network
PTSDpost-traumatic stress disorder
PURpolyurethane
PVphotovoltaic
PVCpolyvinyl chloride (synthetic resin)
PVOprivate voluntary organization
Q
QAquality assurance
QCquality control
QIPSquick impact projects
OTIFquality, on-time, in-full
R
R11type of refrigerant
R12type of refrigerant
radarradio detection and ranging
RAMrandom-access memory
RAPrapid assessment procedures
RBMroll back malaria
R&Dresearch and development
RDFrevolving drug fund
RFradio frequency
RFIDradio frequency identification
RFPrequest for proposal
RFQrequest for quotation
RHrelative humidity, reproductive health
Rhrhesus factor
RHFrural health (care) facility
ROreverse osmosis
ROLreorder level
ROMread-only memory
ro-roroll on-roll off (ferries)
rpmrevolutions per minute
R&Rrest and recreation
R/Tradio telegraph
RTPreturnable transport packaging
S
ssecond
SATCOMsatellite communications
SATPHONEsatellite telephone terminal
SCSecurity Council, subcutaneous
SEDshipper's export declaration
SESsingle exponential "smoothing"
SGSSociété Généralle du Surveillance
S&Hshipping and handling
SIsecurity incident, shelling injury, Système International (d'Unités)
SITASociété International de Télécommunications Aéronautiques
SITORsimplex teleprinter over radio
SitRepsituation report
SKUstock-keeping unit
SLshelf-life
SMAsimple moving averages
SMFsite master file
SMSshort message service
S/Nshipping note
SOPstandard operating procedure
SPCsummary of product characteristics
spec.specification
SPTshortest processing time
SRstock requisition
SROstatuory rules and orders
SSBsingle side band
Svsievert
SWshort wave
S/Wsoftware
SWGstandard wire gauge
SWOTstrengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats
SWRstanding wave ratio
T
Ttelephone, temperature
TBAtraditional birth attendant
TBPMtime based process mapping
tel.no.telephone number
telecom.telecommunication(s)
teleph.telephon(y)
temp.temperature, temporary
TEUtwenty-foot equivalent unit
TFCtherapeutic feeding centre
TFPtherapeutic feeding programme
THCterminal handling charges
theor.theoretical
therap.therapeutic
therm.thermometer
TIRTransport International Routier (International Road Transport)
TLtruck load
TLCthin-layer chromatography
TMtrademark
TNCterminal node controller
TODtime of delivery
tonn.tonnage
TORteleprinter over radio, terms of reference
ToTtraining of trainers
TQCtotal quality control
TQMtotal quality management
TRtransport request
T/Stranshipment
TSTtime, (saturated) steam and temperature (sterilization indicator)
TTtetanus toxoid (vaccine)
TTMtime temperature monitor
U
UCLupper control limit
UHFultra-high frequency
UICUnion Internationale des Chemins de Fer (International Union of railways)
ULunit load
ULDunit load device
UNUnited Nations
UNCITRALUnited Nations Commission on International Trade Law
UNDCPUnited Nations Drug Control Programme
UNDHAUnited Nations Department of Humanitarian Affairs
UNDPUnited Nations Development Programme
UNDROUnited Nations Disaster Relief Organization
UNEPUnited Nations Environmental Programme
UNESCOUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNFPAUnited Nations Fund for Population Activities
UNHCRUnited Nations High Commission for Refugees
UNICEFUnited Nations Children's Fund
UNIDOUnited Nations Industrial Development Organization
UNIENETUnited Nations Electronic Mail System
UNIPACUnited Nations International Packing Centre
UNJLCUnited Nations Joint Logistics Centres
UNOUnited Nations Organization
UNSECOORDUnited Nations Security Coordinator
UOMunit of measurement
UPSuninterrupted power supply
USBupper side band, universal serial bus
USPUnited States Pharmacopeia
UTCuniversel temps coordonné (coordinated universal time)
UVultraviolet
UXOunexploded ordnance
V
Vvolt, volume, five
VAvolt ampere, value-added
VACvoltage alternating current
vacc.vaccination, vaccine
VAMvulnerability analysis and mapping
VATvalue-added tax
VDCvoltage direct current
VENvital, essential, non-essential
VFRvisual flight rules
VGAvideo graphics array
VHFvery high frequency
VHSvideo home system
VHWvillage health worker
VMIvendor managed inventory
VoIPvoice over internet protocol
VSATvery small aperture terminal
VVMvaccine vial monitor
W
Wwatt, weight
WatSanwater and sanitation
wbwaybill
WBWorld Bank for Construction and Development, waybill
WCOWorld Customs Organization
WFPWorld Food Programme
Whwatt hour
WHISWorld Health Imaging System
WHIS-RADWorld Health Imaging System for Radiography
WHOWorld Health Organization
W/Mweight or measurement