Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Risk Assessment: A Systematic Literature Review

Pharmaceuticals play a vital role in fostering the health and well-being of our society. It is imperative to establish a secure, reliable, and efficient supply chain that can adeptly manufacture and distribute essential pharmaceuticals to patients. The resilience of these supply chains is crucial, considering the potential vulnerabilities they face, ranging from minor hiccups to severe threats that can impact patient health. Assessing these risks is of utmost importance, given that different medications come with varying levels of significance to a person's well-being. Some pharmaceuticals are indispensable, and any disruption could jeopardize lives, while others may lead to financial losses through delays. This paper seeks to conduct a comprehensive literature review on all supply chain processes within the military and commercial sectors. Specifically, we focus on identification and evaluation of key risks within these Pharmaceutical Supply Chains (PSCs) and analyze recent disruptions to gauge supply chain resilience.