Pharmaceutical Supply Chains: Risks, Challenges and Strategic Response

A pharmaceutical supply chain consists of sourcing of ingredients and technology, production, distribution and delivery mechanisms to provide medicines and supplies to patients and healthcare facilities in a cost effective and timely manner. This paper introduces the structure of pharmaceutical supply chains within the larger context of health care supply chains and provides discussion on past work and the emerging trends in pharmaceutical supply chains. The paper further explores the unique operational challenges and strategic issues faced by the pharmaceutical supply chains. The paper further proposes a strategic response framework and a mapping tool to deal with these risks and challenges.