Pharmaceutical Industry Supply Chain Research Articles

Designing key performance indicators (KPIs) for decent work in the pharmaceutical supply chain of Iran

While decent work has emerged as the central theme of the psychology of work theory and a global concept and directive for promoting social, political, and economic justice, it has garnered increasing scientific and political attention in the past two decades. However, until now, no defined measurement scale for the pharmaceutical supply chain exists. The present study aims to design and validate key performance indicators (KPIs) for 'decent work' in the pharmaceutical industry supply chain of Iran, using the Decent Work Daffi Scale (2017) as a reliable framework with five sub-scales and 15 items, tested and validated. For the validation of the Decent Work Scale, a quantitative survey study was conducted among selected pharmaceutical industry experts with a sample size of 228 individuals in the year 2023. The current study adopted an exploratory factor analysis approach using SPSS software and a confirmatory factor analysis through AMOS version 24 software. In this context, the factor structure, convergent validity, discriminant validity, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients were examined. The results showed that the five-factor structure outperforms the one-factor model with evidence supporting the convergent, discriminant, and predictive validity of the five-factor scale. Thus, the measurement of decent work in the pharmaceutical industry of Iran comprises five sub-scales: occupational safety conditions, access to healthcare, adequate remuneration, Free time and rest, and alignment of organizational values with family and societal values. This scale can serve as a useful tool for industrial and organizational psychology research, as well as for studies on the sustainability of social supply chains.

Exploring the Proof of Work Based Block Chain Algorithm for Pharmaceutical Industry Supply Chain Innovation

Block chain technology offers numerous promising opportunities for improving supply chain management. This article provides a brief outline of how Block chain technology is being utilized in the supply chain industry. The article is proposed to explain how the Block chain might help suppliers, manufacturers, regulators, quality assurance labs, and logistics operators by cooperating on a shared ledger, as well as to establish provenance for speciality products at the package level and to reduce income leakage to pharmaceuticals. A Block chain-based pharmacy supply chain management track and trace system could tackle this growing illegal economy by tracking medicine through suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, pharmacies, hospitals, regulators, and logistics. In this paper it is proposed to display proof of work (PoW) based Block chain algorithm to stop counterfeit medications entering a pharmaceutical supply chain and to enhance transparency, traceability, and security highlighting the merit of PoW algorithm.

Challenges to decarbonizing medication prescribing and use practices: A call to action

Climate change undeniably impacts the social and environmental determinants of one's health. The healthcare sector, encompassing medications and the pharmaceutical industry supply chain, accounts for a significant portion of global health care contributions to greenhouse gas (GHG) and waste production. Despite these realities, healthcare professionals – physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and others – may be unaware of GHG emissions and the long-term environmental effects of the medications they prescribe, dispense, and administer daily. In this commentary, we identify existing challenges and explore potential strategies to recognize and reduce the climate change impacts associated with medication use.

Covid-19 and the South African pharmaceutical supply chain

This research aimed to identify the key drivers of the pharmaceutical supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic disruption, focusing on the South African pharmaceutical industry. The study aimed to unveil the dynamic strategies and challenges experienced during the pandemic and suggest recommendations for resilient supply chain operations. The study drew on established supply chain management theories and integrated them with the unique and novel circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic. It mainly referred to theories regarding pricing, strategic sourcing, ICT usage, product availability, and logistics management contextualised within the pharmaceutical industry. An exploratory research approach was adopted to uncover the five overarching themes that function as pharmaceutical supply chain drivers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Semi-structured interviews were used to acquire the primary data with industry supply chain professionals, supplemented with secondary data from industry reports and relevant literature. The findings revealed that the pricing of medications, strategic sourcing decisions, information and communication technology, the availability of pharmaceutical products, and logistics management played critical roles in the pharmaceutical industry's supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic. Disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic led to challenges such as price hikes, supply shortages, and logistical complications. The study provides crucial insights into managing supply chain disruptions amid a global health crisis. Implementing dynamic pricing mechanisms, developing resilient sourcing strategies, using ICT effectively, improving inventory management, and enhancing logistics management are recommended for robust supply chain operations. The findings contribute to academia by enriching the existing body of knowledge and offering practical solutions for industry supply chain professionals. The research is original and timely, offering a unique perspective on the South African pharmaceutical industry's supply chain during an unprecedented global health crisis. The results are valuable for academia and industry, shedding light on the adaptive strategies, challenges encountered, and lessons learned from navigating the pharmaceutical supply chain during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data Block Matrix and Hyperledger Implementation: Extending Distributed Ledger Technology for Privacy Requirements

Distributed ledger technology (DLT) , including blockchain, has a number of properties that make it useful for distributed systems. However, the immutability of blockchain and most forms of DLT make it impossible to delete data, as is required for compliance with many privacy rules regarding personally identifiable information. Thus, there is a need for DLT that can provide the integrity-preserving property of DLT while also allowing support for privacy rules. The data block matrix (DBM) is a variant of distributed ledger technology. It provides the integrity assurance of blockchain but allows for controlled revision or deletion of data. This property is essential for using DLT in applications that must guarantee privacy requirements by the deleting of a user's private data at their request. The DBM design solves the blockchain privacy conflict thus expanding the range of blockchain applications by also allowing exception management. It has been implemented and is available ( https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/redactable-distributed-ledger ) as a configurable option for Hyperledger Fabric (HF) , with a proof-of-concept application for data sharing in a health care environment. Other potential applications include logistics management and digital currency. This paper will cover the DBM properties and data structure, the DBM implementation in HF, and a use case and application design of the DBM implementation using the pharmaceutical industry supply chain.

Identifying and Analyzing the Application of the Internet of Things in Supply Pharmaceutical Chain Agility in post COVID -19

Introduction: The internet of Things has become more popular as a new technology since the advent of wire less technology , and attracted attention from supply chain management promoters. This study aimed to identify and analyze IoT applications in the pharmaceutical supply chain agility in the post -COVID -19 era Method: We first review previous studies in appl ications of IoT in pharmaceutical supply chain agility and identified the findings through qualitative content analysis. Then, the identified factors were given to 20 management and information technology experts to confirm and validat e. Results: The resu lts showed that IoT applications on the pharmaceutical supply chain agility in 9 components and 50 indicators. First of all, the most important factor is faster communication with other stakeholders (suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and customers) u sing the IoT in the supply chain . Secondly, the use of IoT for drug production; manufacturers invest in technologies that lead to lower operating costs in the long term, because network devices and sensors do not make mistakes, do not need rest and trainin g, and do not take vacations. Therefore, they increase the agility of the production process and are a reliable and cost -effective alternative for productivity in production. Conclusion: The wide applications of the proposed model indicate the need to cons ider the use of the IoT in the pharmaceutical industry supply chain in order to improve overall supply chain performance and focus on supply chain agility.

Benefit and Challenge of Blockchain Technology in Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Management

Pharmaceutical Industry Supply Chain Management (SCM) has been an invigorating research topic because the industry strives to explore innovative ways to secure the medicine distribution and to ensure the authenticity of medicine consumed by the patients. A surge in the counterfeit drug has called an urgent effort for the industry to eradicate. In this scope, the fake medicine harm serious health problem for patients. To cope with this urgency, Blockchain offers the new innovative technology that captures the security and accountability in the financial industry for decades. In this spectrum, the new generation of blockchain with smart contract feature enables the utilization of blockchain in an enterprise setting such as Supply Chain Management Systems. In this point, this study explored contemporary for benefit and challenge blockchain adoption based on Systematic Literature Review methodology. At a closer look, the research indicates the impact of the Blockchain Adoption Technology in Pharmaceutical Industry SCM in for four aspects, i.e. supplier, producer, logistic/distributor, and customer. In a specific range, this research explores significant factors from ten leading journals (one thousand two hundred and fourteen papers) and selects solely eighteen relevant documents. The examination reveals the critical research development of blockchain technology adoption in Pharmaceutical SCM and twenty-three essential factors.

Dysfunctions in B2B relations with a supplier in the supply chain

The main goal of the article is to attempt to identify the way to analyse dysfunctions in B2B relations with a supplier in the supply chain. The subject of the analysis is the relationship between a supplier producing a food supplement and a customer (a consignee) in the pharmaceutical industry supply chain. The customer is a pharmaceutical corporation in which the supply chain department is responsible for contacts with suppliers. The article aims to answer the question whether and if so, what kind of dysfunctions occur in B2B relations in the supply chain and how can they be characterized? The dysfunctions indicated by the authors: transport and storage, administrative and legal as well as communication are an innovative approach to the presented issue. The ability to eliminate or at least minimize individual forms of the dysfunctions shapes the impact on mutual relations, which are characterized by the uneven dependence, the more so when they manifest themselves in the long-term perspective

“U.S. Pharmaceutical Gray Markets: Why Do They Persist—and What to Do about Them?”

AbstractThis article illustrates how a traditional U.S. pharmaceutical industry supply chain operates, beginning with pharmaceutical compounds and ending at patient‐dispensing hospitals or pharmacies. Furthermore, to place the problem of U.S. drug shortages in historical perspective, a review of the annual volume of such shortages over the last decade is undertaken. Following this review of recent drug shortages is an analysis of the market forces and business decisions that drive the creation of a pharmaceutical gray market, its attendant “price gouging” and product integrity issues, and the alterations in the traditional pharmaceutical industry supply chain model. In response to persistent drug shortages, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently been empowered by the executive and legislative branches of the U.S. government to actively address this issue. To reflect these FDA challenges, a thorough review of these new agency charges and responsibilities is undertaken. Lastly, an analysis of the results of recent FDA public policy actions on mitigating drug shortages, as well as recommendations tor market‐based solutions to the gray market problem that pharmaceutical manufacturers, hospitals and pharmacies could institute as industry‐wide standards of business practice, are discussed in the conclusion.

The strategic relevance of manufacturing technology: An overall quality concept to promote innovation preventing drug shortage

Manufacturing is the bridge between research and patient: without product, there is no clinical outcome. Shortage has a variety of causes, in this paper we analyse only causes related to manufacturing technology and we use shortage as a paradigm highliting the relevance of Pharmaceutical Technology. Product and process complexity and capacity issues are the main challenge for the Pharmaceutical Industry Supply chain. Manufacturing Technology should be acknowledged as a R&D step and as a very important matter during University degree in Pharmacy and related disciplines, promoting collaboration between Academia and Industry, measured during HTA step and rewarded in terms of price and reimbursement. The above elements are not yet properly recognised, and manufacturing technology is taken in to consideration only when a shortage is in place. In a previous work, Panzitta et al. proposed to perform a full technology assessment at the Health Technological Assessment stage, evaluating three main technical aspects of a medicine: manufacturing process, physicochemical properties, and formulation characteristics. In this paper, we develop the concept of manufacturing appraisal, providing a technical overview of upcoming challenges, a risk based approach and an economic picture of shortage costs. We develop also an overall quality concept, not limited to GMP factors but broaden to all elements leading to a robust supply and promoting technical innovation.

An empirical analysis of risk mitigation in the pharmaceutical industry supply chain: A developing‐country perspective

AbstractGlobal pharmaceutical supply‐chain risk mitigation has become an important issue in the corporate boardroom. This article reports on the empirical findings of the quantification of risks that decision makers consider most important when deciding on a risk portfolio to mitigate and the manner in which risks are prioritized according to their importance. The empirical findings suggest that decision makers attached great importance to counterfeit, Food and Drugs Board, and exchange‐rate fluctuations. With respect to risk‐mitigation strategies, risk reduction is considered most important, followed by risk avoidance. Dynamic sensitivity analysis with respect to a change (increase) in the Food and Drugs Board did not result in any change in the ranking of risk policy options, while a change (increase) in counterfeit resulted in a change in the ranking between risk reduction and risk avoidance. Risk avoidance ranked number one, followed by risk reduction. Implications distilled from this article are far‐reaching for the Ghanaian pharmaceutical firms' managers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Reverse logistic process control measures for the pharmaceutical industry supply chain

PurposeThe aim of this paper is to analyze the pharmaceutical supply chain using the DMAIC process for improvement of the reverse logistics in a recall to avert the possibility of harm to a consumer.Design/methodology/approachA framework is used for guiding one towards the responsibilities of the different organizations concerning reverse logistics. This is further developed into a Cause and Effect analysis, performed on the supply chain and the hypothesized problem areas. Improvement concepts were then considered in the use of RFID, consistent information systems and transportation carriers to streamline the supply chain and reducing the risk of counterfeit drugs entering the forward supply chain. FMEA is used to understand the failure modes and the severity of the respective failures in the reverse logistics supply chain.FindingsThe study yielded interesting and innovative solutions being tested and conceived at the present time, but specific information on the pharmaceutical supply chain was limited. The majority of the reverse logistics for pharmaceuticals is handled through third‐party providers, and therefore this specific knowledge is well guarded, being a core competency.Practical implicationsThe improvement concepts were found to have managerial impacts such as improved communication flow, and dedicated group(s) to focus on the reverse logistics to remove miscommunication and perception errors. The ability to make improvements, as well as sustain the improvements, will also require significant and consistent management support.Originality/valueThe study is a first look at the forward and reverse logistics processes for the pharmaceutical industry supply chain and analysis of potential improvements utilizing DMAIC process. It helps in understanding gaps, suggests measures to reduce them and provides direction for improvements related to the quality of service existing between logistics users, logistics service provider, pharmaceutical firm and customers. The methods of analysis used can also be utilized as a diagnostic tool to understand the weaknesses in the existing supply chain and thus help in identifying the key areas for improvements within the organization.

RFID adoption in the supply chain: the rational expectations hypothesis alternative view

The author uses Au and Kauffman's interpretation of the Rational Expectations Hypothesis (REH) and the accompanying adaptive learning concepts to answer the key research question: 'Do the REH and the adaptive learning theories explain the early adoption behaviours and actions of organisations affected by mandates to deploy Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) within their supply chains?' Both theories are used in clarifying the deployment of RFID by early-adopter firms in the pharmaceutical industry. Using content analysis of secondary data, evidence is presented and answers the research question in the affirmative. In terms of the four conditions of the evaluative framework, the following were confirmed: (1) network externalities characterise RFID adoption in the pharmaceutical industry supply chain; (2) the diverse interests of the multiple participants in the pharmaceutical industry directly affected by RFID adoption mandates needed to be reconciled; (3) firms in the pharmaceutical industry conduct pilot projects to deal with the uncertainties surrounding RFID technology and (4) supply chain participants in the pharmaceutical industry optimise the use of limited information available to them to be able to respond to mandate for RFID deployment by the US Food and Drug Administration in connection with the drug electronic pedigree tracking initiative. All five propositions were also positively confirmed.

An Australian case in e‐health communication and change

Australia’s health industry is grasping the need to use IT and telecommunications with e‐commerce strategies for improved cost‐effective services to its key stakeholders. Addresses the changes occurring in Australia’s healthcare industry influenced by experiments in e‐commerce and focussed on the Project Electronic Commerce and Communication for Healthcare (PeCC). Initiated in 1997, as a joint activity of both government and industry, PeCC was developed to introduce e‐commerce practices into the health sector with almost 700 suppliers, automating pharmaceutical and other supplies to hospitals. Supply chain communication will be facilitated by an Internet‐based platform, allowing more efficient interaction between the pharmaceutical industry’s outlets (retail and hospital pharmacies), wholesalers, suppliers and manufacturers. Promoting and demonstrating e‐commerce for the pharmaceutical industry supply chain, the project connects manufacturers, wholesalers, suppliers and hospitals. Examines lessons in change management and communication that emanate from this health sector case, emphasising the issue of improving communication with key stakeholders about e‐commerce and changes to the health system, and ensuring appropriate communication practices (including media selection) through the different phases of the project over time.