Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Abstract:

Idea and purpose:

The major issue relates with their supply chain in identifying and measuring their operational excellence. Adding value in terms of excellence in manufacturing segment has already made its mark, but supply chain is still not able to make its place in building and adding value especially in pharmaceutical business due to its complexity. Given the increasing importance to the pharmaceutical business at global level, competition went to the next stage, forcing industries to build measurable and improvable road map in supply chain. The main issue in supply chain lies in the measuring part of the sub-activities linked with the operational functions within the department. The focus is to open up the concept related to operational excellence coordinated with the supply chain activities in the pharmaceutical business, how operational improvements can enhance the supply chain?, which factors can be included and how they are measured?.

The purpose is, to aware the supply chain professionals regarding the importance of operational excellence concept, which is of core importance and emerging in building the pharmaceutical business. The findings and recommendations are in relation with operational excellence factors and its effectiveness with the pharma business.

Methodology:

i. Identification of Sub-Parameters in Supply Chain Activities

ii. Supply Chain Performance Scorecard Visibility

The scorecard approach and measured visibility defines the factors for the operational activities in the SCM Department and grounds the actual performance for the necessary improvements.

Findings and recommendations:

The challenges in streamlining the processes starts from material plan and forecasting, procurement, capacity planning, manufacturing lead-time, and ends at the delivery of product to required destination. The comprehensive supply chain will direct industries to lower costs and enhance customer satisfaction levels.

The other issue with pharma supply chain is their product nature, which challenges the distribution system to take them near to the customer with right drug, at the right time and place, in the right condition. The cold chain management is one of the challenge, especially faced by country like India where weather conditions changes much well within the country itself. Few products require cold chain supply chain to maintain the quality and efficacy. Their sensitivity and contamination, increases the cost of transportation and storage during the distribution network.

The other issue with supply chain is the product counterfeiting activities, which are increasing day-by-day, which requires security track on the distribution system.

Supply