Theoretical aspects of using logistics outsourcing in the organization of medical supply of the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Abstract

Aim. To study the essence of the concept of logistics outsourcing in the military sphere, conduct a comparative analysis of the main characteristics of military pharmaceutical logistics and civil pharmaceutical logistics in Ukraine.Materials and methods. To achieve the goal of the study, the analysis of foreign and domestic scientific sources and the current legal documents was conducted. The methods of information retrieval, systematization, content analysis, comparison and generalization were used. Results and discussion. Outsourcing is actively implemented in the Ukrainian Armed Forces during the defense reform in our country. Outsourcing refers to measures aimed at the effective organization and implementation of logistics tasks in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine dated 11.10.2016, No. 522 “On approval of the Basic Provisions for Logistic Support of the Ukrainian Armed Forces”. Therefore, the use of logistics outsourcing to organize the supply of medical equipment and supplies to military units and medical units in the Ukrainian Armed Forces is now an urgent direction for optimizing the medical support of troops (forces) and requires careful research. In Ukraine, the term “outsourcing” was started actually to be used only in the 90s of the last century in the civilian sectors of the economy, as well as in the pharmaceutical sector. Today, the introduction and application of a logistics approach to resource management allows pharmaceutical companies to increase their social, environmental and economic efficiency. In the Ukrainian Armed Forces today, outsourcing is used in the food supply of the military personnel.Outsourcing is not currently used in the Medical Service of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. It has been found that the use of outsourcing in the Ukrainian Armed Forces can be accompanied by a number of risks. The analysis of the main characteristics of military pharmaceutical logistics and pharmaceutical logistics in Ukraine has been conducted.Conclusions. Today, outsourcing should be considered as one of the main logistics strategies used by domestic pharmaceutical companies in many areas of their logistics activities. The study of foreign and domestic research indicates the ambiguity in determining the nature of military logistics outsourcing and the volume of services transferred to outsourcers. However, in recent years there has been an active introduction of outsourcing in the military sphere in many countries. The analysis of the main characteristics of military pharmaceutical logistics and civil pharmaceutical logistics in Ukraine has shown the need to develop a legal regulatory framework that standardizes the interaction between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine (customer) and the outsourcer (private enterprise), as well as to develop the standards for the providing logistics outsourcing services for the organization of medical supplies in the Ukrainian Armed Forces.