A qualitative, patient-centered perspective toward plasma products supply chain network design with risk controlling

Abstract

Motivated by a real issue in Iran blood transfusion organization and hemophilia community, this paper aims to design and plan an integrated plasma and plasma-derived medicines supply chain network to improve efficiency and timely access to high-quality services. This paper contributes to the existing literature by incorporating four factors, namely (1) quality, (2) efficiency, (3) type-differentiated demand, and (4) risk controlling into the model. To better manage the quality of plasma, we categorize fresh frozen plasma into two classes based on plasma freezing time interval. Moreover, since the number of available donors and centers accessibility affects the supply chain performance, the ideal candidate locations of plasma donation centers are evaluated through several pivotal criteria via a data envelopment analysis approach. We propose a mathematical model, based on a tactical-strategic decision in a real case. Furthermore, the robustness manages the inherent uncertainty in input data and controls the risk of probable disruption in the model, simultaneously. We consider a real case study according to hemophilia community issues in Tehran. The outcomes assist the practitioners in managing how plasma products should be manufactured to minimize the shortages and also control the robustness against uncertainty and disruption risks.