About PtD
Rooted in the notion that without trained professionals to manage health supply chains health commodities do not reach the patients who need them, PtD's approach had three strands:
- PtD convened its coalition members and partners, all of whom have the same ambition: to improve health outcomes.
- PtD coordinated its network of member organisations by providing technical leadership and encouraging collaboration.
- PtD advocated interventions that improve the demand and supply of qualified health supply chain professionals.
PtD's goal was to create a competent, supported and adequately staffed supply chain workforce that is deployed across the public and private sectors within the health system.
PtD envisioned a world in which health supply chain workforces are empowered and equipped to maximise health outcomes by improving access to health commodities.
PtD was established in 2011 when 79 institutions came together at WHO headquarters and pledged to strengthen the capacity of the health supply chain workforce while promoting the professionalisation of supply chain roles within the health system.
PtD was governed by its coalition members who represent governments, international donors, multilateral agencies, non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, professional associations and private companies.
At the end of 2025 the PtD Coalition was replaced by the PtD Exchange.
Why it matters
It is estimated that up to one-third of the world’s population has limited access to essential medicines.
And although health supply chains and the health supply chain workforce are instrumental in ensuring the availability of critical vaccines and health commodities, all too often these workers lack the appropriate skills and training.
As a result, health supply chains are often limited in their ability to meet existing demands: poorly functioning health supply chains jeopardise the major investments in health supplies made by governments and partners, the health goals of countries and, most importantly, the health of individuals.
Video: People that Deliver: Building Human Resources for Supply Chain Management Theory of Change