Global Healthcare Supply Chain by the Numbers
UPS recently released results from a survey it conducted, shedding light on numerous relevant global healthcare supply chain trends and issues. Top executives from the healthcare branch are faced with a number of challenges, including product complexity and security as well as new global customer demands which has led to an increasing amount of investment in the supply chain. Plans from global supply chain managers indicate increased investment in new technologies, expansion into new markets, implementation of new distribution channels and a more significant reliance on third party logistics partners. With growing concerns about product security, executives are also focusing in on counterfeit detection and supply chain visibility. As in previous years, UPS also analyzed the top pain points for the global healthcare supply chain, with the top concern being regulatory compliance.
For a complete summary of the survey results, click here.
Supply Chain Threats from Outer Space
As if supply chain managers didn’t have enough to worry about here on Earth in terms of supply chain disruptions and risks, a new study released by Guy Carpenter, a global reinsurance firm, alerts readers to the potential dangers of space debris, solar storms and cyber-attacks. Solar disturbances are, for example, capable of disturbing critical infrastructure such as transportation and fuel supplies, as they have the potential to interfere with the supply of electricity and could elicit GPS signal disturbances. Furthermore, as the traffic in outer space continues to increase, the potential for satellite collisions grows which can leave us Earthlings without critical services such as weather forecasts, traffic control and global communications. With technological advancements reaching new highs, it is important for supply chain managers to keep the vulnerability of supply chains in mind and to prepare accordingly for the associated risks.
Click here to read the full article
Securing the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
Staying on the topic of the healthcare supply chain, the US Food and Drug Administration announced the launch of a pilot program intended to ease the process for a handful of companies importing pharmaceuticals to the US. The Secure Supply Chain Pilot Program (SSCPP) aims to focus the attention and surveillance on high-risk shipments while reducing delays for the lower-risk imports. The FDA will choose 100 companies from a pool of applicants which will receive clearance for a more efficient, speedy import process. The FDA has been working on boosting security to help eliminate the import of sub-standard products, and this initiative will allow for tougher scrutiny on high-risk imports. With 40% of the drugs Americans consume being manufactured outside of US borders and 80% of active pharmaceutical ingredients found in those drugs coming from overseas sources, the importance of supply chain security cannot be overlooked.
Click here to read more about the SSCPP initiative
Have a great weekend!
