Table 3 Step 3: Resources to ensure a start-up supply of medications and blood pressure measurement devices.

From: A simple six-step guide to National-Scale Hypertension Control Program implementation

Sub-step

Task

Description

General tools and templates

Country-specific examples

Step 3A

Inventory current medications

Conduct an inventory survey. The inventory should include medications at the store and facility level.

Baseline facility checklist [9]

 

Step 3B

Inventory current BP devices

Conduct an inventory survey at the facility level.

Baseline facility checklist [9]

 

Step 3C

Forecast medication needs

Program supervisors work with facility level managers to project future needs.

Initial drug supply forecasting should incorporate program growth scenarios. Forecasting should also plan for multi-month refills (six months or longer) for patients with stable, controlled blood pressure.

Forecasting tool template [9]

Medication forecasting examples [9]

Step 3D

Forecast BP device needs

Program supervisors work with facility-level managers to identify any gaps and project future needs of BP devices.

Blood pressure device forecasting for opportunistic screening [30]

 

Step 3E

Procure and monitor medications

Assess the current procurement process and consider alternative options as relevant.

Monitor medications on a regular basis and reorder as appropriate. Stock should never fall below a 3-month supply.

Johns Hopkins University Global Hypertension Course (Module 5) [31]

 

Step 3F

Procure BP devices

Assess the current procurement process for BP devices and consider alternative options as relevant

How to choose an automated device [9]

Selecting BP devices [32]

Automated digital BP devices fact sheet [9]

WHO technical specifications for automated non-invasive BP measuring devices with cuff [15]

Suggested Requirements for External Validation Studies [9]

A 90-second primer on automated digital BP monitors [9]

Blood pressure measurement device selection in low‐resource settings: Challenges, compromises, and routes to progress [14]

Example of a request for proposal for blood pressure devices [9]

3G

Utilize and strengthen supply chains

Strengthen supply chain for medicine distribution and establish procedures for monitoring and refilling medication inventory.

Drug stock tool—Template [9]

Drug stock tool- Example (India) [9]

Min-Max inventory guidance [9, 20]

Daily consumption record [9, 20]

Ready reckoner job aid [9, 20]