Procurement of diagnostics

The WHO procurement service for diagnostics was established in 1990 to facilitate Member States' access to high quality HIV test kits at a reasonable cost. Over the years, the service has expanded to include diagnostics for HIV/AIDS, malaria, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, as well as basic laboratory consumables and equipment.

About the WHO procurement service

The Diagnostics and Laboratory Technology team works together with the Contracting and Procurement Services team to ensure the availability of quality diagnostics at reduced costs. In 2007, the service achieved:

• procurement of test kits for 45 Member States, the majority in low-income economies
• expansion of the market for HIV and malaria rapid tests
• procurement of 13 million test kits for priority diseases
• substantial savings for member states

WebBuy catalogue

WebBuy, an electronic procurement system is available on the WHO intranet for easy, streamlined purchasing. Access to WebBuy is available for staff at WHO headquarters and regional and country offices.

Information for manufacturers

WHO procurement focuses on diagnostics for priority diseases such as HIV, malaria, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. In order for a diagnostic test kit to become eligible to tender for WHO procurement, it must first successfully pass through prequalification and meet specific procurement criteria. Tenders, by invitation only, occur on an annual basis.

For procurement questions

Contact: Contracting and Procurement Services (WHO/CPS) email:procurement@who.int

Procurement information and statistics

• Complaints and Product Alerts
• Selecting and purchasing HIV diagnostics
• HIV Procurement
• HCV Procurement
• HBsAg Procurement
• CD4+ Technology Procurement
• Viral Load Procurement
• Equipment Consumables Procurement

Related links

• AIDS Medicines and Diagnostics Service (AMDS)
• UNICEF
• UNAIDS
• World Bank