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This article aims to improve the secondary distribution process in a mass consumer company implementing technologies, such as transport management system (TMS) to achieve the objectives set by the company. A DMAIC based methodology is proposed to define and solve structured problems related to secondary distribution, following the performance of the process based on critical to logistics (CTL) factors. The methodology prioritized the design of a master plan for the secondary distribution and the characterization of the secondary distribution process, defining the principal technologies that should compose the business architecture of the secondary distribution, with emphasis on the TMS due to its significant impact and relevance for planning, execution, and control of the distribution process. This study replaces the control component of the DMAIC with the assess component to perform the economic and productivity evaluation of the implementation of a TMS since the improvement proposals were formulated and evaluated. The results show that TMS allows the reduction of delivery time variability, order processing time, voided invoices, distribution costs, the increase in customer service and efficiency in the distribution operation and generates profitability for the medium and long term.

Background: Secondary distribution of HIV self-testing kits (HIVST) to pregnant women attending antenatal care (ANC) clinics to give to their male partners is a promising strategy to increase testing coverage among men, but its costs are unknown. Methods: We conducted micro-costing of a trial evaluating secondary distribution of HIVST on pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV) in an ANC in Kampala, Uganda. Costs (2019 USD) were collected from program budgets, expenditure records, time and motion observations, and staff interviews and estimated for three scenarios: as-studied, reflecting full costs of the research intervention, Ministry of Health (MOH) implementation, reflecting the research intervention if implemented by the MOH, and MOH roll-out, the current strategy being used to roll out HIVST distribution. Results: In the as-studied scenario, cost of HIVST provision was $13.96/PWLHIV reached, and $11.89 and $10.55 per HIV-positive and HIV-negative male partner, respectively, who linked to a clinic for facility-based testing. In the MOH implementation scenario, costs were $9.45/PWLHIV, and $7.87 and $6.99, respectively, per HIV-positive and HIV-negative male partner linking to the clinic. In the MOH roll-out scenario, the cost of HIVST provision to pregnant women regardless of HIV status was $3.70/woman, and $6.65/HIV-positive male partner. Conclusion: Secondary distribution of HIVST from pregnant women can be implemented at reasonable cost to increase testing among men in Uganda and similar settings in Africa.