HHS establishes quarterly PPE forecast

The Department of Health and Human Services Sept. 18 announced the launch of a new personal protective equipment forecast to identify, consolidate and publish anticipated HHS purchases of PPE covered by the Make PPE in America Act. The department said the new process will replace one-time data collection and will be reviewed and updated quarterly. The first update will be due Oct. 15, with subsequent updates due Jan. 15, April 15 and July 15 each year. HHS said all of its divisions will be required to maintain forecasts of their anticipated PPE needs. Each forecast must include known acquisition requirements in addition to anticipated recurring purchases, annual replenishment, seasonal demand, emergency stock replenishment, planned program requirements and potential surge requirements.