Lesson 5: Standard list for instruments
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) considers appropriate information as a crucial resource in improving universal access to eye health. In resource-constrained settings especially, procurement decisions can play an important role in ensuring that a maximum number of people have equitable access to quality service.
To support planners and managers making procurement decisions for diabetic retinopathy (DR) services, IAPB publishes two indispensable lists of information about the products – the equipment, instruments, consumables and drugs – needed to deliver a high-quality diabetic retinopathy service.
- he Essential List for DR provides assistance on decisions about the type and the quantity of equipment needed.
- The Standard List has information on where to source the most cost-effective and appropriate equipment.
IAPB Essential List for diabetic retinopathy
This IAPB Essential List provides guidance on the minimum equipment and
consumables required to provide DR services for a population of 100,000. It sets down the type and likely quantity of products which are essential for to set up or strengthen diabetic retinopathy services at the local level and also identifies desirable products that can be considered when the budget allows.
IAPB has developed the list by consulting peer-reviewed publications and experts in their fields from around the world, many with considerable experience in resource-constrained settings. Together they reach consensus on products considered essential or desirable to provide quality eye health interventions for DR services.
IAPB has also produced Essential Lists for glaucoma, low vision, cataract and trachomatous trichiasis surgery which can be downloaded from the Standard List website.
IAPB Standard List: The IAPB Standard List website provides a searchable, comprehensive list of different products from different suppliers. Each product has a photograph, full description, and usually an indicative price. The Supplier section contains a full company profile and contact details and a request for quotation can be generated and emailed directly to the supplier.
The Standard List aims to be a ‘one-stop-shop’ for budgeting and procurement of eye care products, supporting planners and managers in low- and middle-income settings to:
- Source and compare dependable, cost-effective and appropriate eye care products and suppliers
- Plan, budget, write grants and purchase products.
The IAPB develops the Standard List by evaluating new products proposed by suppliers as appropriate for inclusion in two ways:
- By field-testing against various criteria such as accuracy, reliability, quality, ease of use or comparison to the gold standard, depending on the product.
- Endorsement and recommendation to include the product by IAPB members.