In 2007, the Lesotho U. S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) team requested the Supply Chain Management System (SCMS) and Rational Pharmaceutical Management (RPM) Plus programs to undertake a comprehensive analysis of the HIV/AIDS and other related commodities supply chains in Lesotho. This request followed widespread reports of shortages at facility level of essential HIV/AIDS-related commodities including antiretroviral (ARV) medicines, laboratory reagents, disposable supplies, rapid test kits, and condoms.

Program managers had also expressed concern that the procurement and distribution of HIV/AIDS commodities was fragmented and uncoordinated. The assessment’s objectives were to conduct a desktop review of supply chain management in Lesotho and perform an in-country assessment to address gaps identified.