What is Retooling

With the anticipated launch of the first of the new tools within the next two years, the time is right to start preparing for the introduction of new tools, and to minimize the delay between their licensure, availability and adoption as well as widespread use in communities that need them most.

This process is termed "Retooling" and will help preparing for Adoption, Introduction and Implementation of new diagnostics, drugs and Vaccines in TB control.

The adoption has been defined as a multi-sector process resulting in an explicit global and/or country policy decision to access and use new and improved health technologies, including strategies for tuberculosis control.

Global and/or country policy decision to adopt a new and improved health technology follows an analysis of benefits, risks, and costs of the health technology and the health system’s capacity to finance, manage and ensure its sustainable access and appropriate use. Communication of recommendations and policy decision is undertaken before introduction and implementation.

The introduction is the set of coordinated activities that is carried out to prepare for effective and sustainable access to the new and improved health technology.

Global and/or country introduction includes ensuring appropriate new technology regulation and registration, preparing phase-in/phase-out plans for procurement and logistics management, revising guidelines, tools, & training materials, financial resource mobilization, initiating staff training and advocacy, communication, social mobilization activities.

Implementation is the set of activities that put into effect the policy and monitor and evaluate the progress of these activities and the impact on tuberculosis control.

Implementation activities include the execution of a phase-in/phase out plan, on-going technical programme and supply management procedures, and monitoring and evaluation of programme implementation and new health technology performance.