The RPM Plus Program, along with its predecessor, the RPM Project, has developed a number of tools that support effective management of tuberculosis medicines and commodities. In addition, several other CPM or MSH tools can be used to address TB medicines management within a wider context. Several of these resources are available online. If you have any questions or experience any difficulties downloading or using a tool, please contact rpmplus-tb@msh.org.
Managing TB Medicines at the Primary Level
Until now, guides and training materials have primarily focused on health professionals involved in pharmaceutical management of tuberculosis (TB) at the national and regional levels. Realizing this gap, Management Sciences for Health (MSH) prepared this capacity-building tool to target TB pharmaceutical management issues commonly faced at the primary health care level where there has been little formal training in many country programs.
- View the Guide (English) [PDF - 2.37 MB]
- View the Guide (Français) [PDF - 2.40 MB]
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Managing Pharmaceuticals and Commodities: A Guide for National Tuberculosis Programs This practical, step-by-step guide is designed to help gauge the strength of national tuberculosis programs (NTPs) and identify mechanisms for overcoming identified weaknesses in systems for TB medicines selection, procurement, distribution, use, and management support. Users with varying backgrounds in TB control—including NTP managers, other ministry of health units collaborating with the NTP, nongovernmental organizations, and donors—will find the guide useful in understanding how good pharmaceutical management can improve TB program outcomes. - View the Guide (English) [PDF - 1.2 MB]
- View the Guide (Español) [PDF - 1.1 MB]
- View the Guide (Français) [PDF - 1.2 MB]
- Learn more about the Guide
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Pharmaceutical Management for Tuberculosis (PMTB) Assessment Manual  This indicator-based assessment tool addresses factors that have a critical effect on the availability and rational use of TB medicines, and may also be used to monitor and evaluate the performance of TB medicines supply systems. Findings from an assessment can provide the basis for policy dialogue, strategic planning, and intervention design.
- View the Manual (English) [PDF - 742 KB]
- View summary of PMTB tool [PDF - 138 KB]
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The Design and In-Country Evaluation of TB Diagnostic Laboratory Kits
Beginning in 2003, the Global Drug Facility (GDF) initiated the development of diagnostic laboratory kits for tuberculosis (TB) to make them readily available to countries with high TB prevalence. Through RPM Plus’ collaboration with the GDF, the kits were piloted and tested in Nigeria, Tajikistan and the Republic of Congo and found to be useful for low-income, high-incidence settings.
The Design and In-Country Evaluation of TB Diagnostic Laboratory Kits describes the assessment process, the design and cost of kits, and concludes with recommendations for the GDF and StopTB Partnership on the application of the TB laboratory kits. The kits are now available from the GDF.
- Download a copy of the evaluation [PDF - 870KB]
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Managing Pharmaceuticals for TB/HIV Collaboration: Lessons Learned from a Five-Country Study in East Africa 
RPM Plus designed a study to investigate commodity management in support of TB/HIV collaborative activities in mainly five East African countries - Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Tanzania, and Uganda. The assessment focused on two issues - establishing the mechanisms for collaboration and managing pharmaceuticals needed for interventions. Even though the study focused mainly on pharmaceutical management, it also included a review of the overall policies and practices related to all areas of TB/HIV treatment.
Country Findings
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TB Manager 
The Manager, an MSH publication, is designed to help managers develop and support the delivery of high-quality health services. In this issues, available in both English and Spanish, The Manager offers policymakers and managers of TB programs at all levels a practical, systematic approach to strengthening drug management so that TB drugs reach and are appropriately used by patients.
- Download the English version [PDF - 125KB]
- Download the Spanish version [PDF - 220KB]
| Motivations mapping tool (to be used in a workshop setting)
This tool, developed in partnership with Stop TB/WHO and the World Bank, assists DOTS programs in identifying performance problems; underlying stakeholder motivations that may contribute to those problems; and potential incentives, enablers, and system improvements that can address motivational challenges. -
Learn more about RPM Plus's collaborative effort with Stop TB/WHO and the World Bank in this area. -
Access the tool [PDF - 1.34 MB]
WIDER-CONTEXT TOOLS - International Drug Price Indicator Guide (IDPIG)
 This tool allows managers to compare local prices of TB (and other) drugs with prices from a variety of international suppliers and tenders.
| This is a tool that allows a planner or manager to see how expenditures for TB pharmaceuticals compare with expenditures for other pharmaceuticals in terms of total cost and volume. » View a more complete list of tools and resources
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