While there has been extensive discussion on how technology is revolutionizing drug discovery and patient access to treatments, the pharmaceutical supply chain, which acts as the bridge connecting these two aspects, is also undergoing a rapid technological revolution. This transformation is expected to revolutionize the delivery of life-saving treatments and vaccines to a wider population.

The advent of technology in this ecosystem is leading to more efficient, reliable, and faster methods of developing, manufacturing, packaging, and storing medicines for patients. Across the industry, we are witnessing the digitization of supply chain management driven by key trends and new market requirements, which are increasing the complexity and value of the supply chain ecosystem.

One example is the rise of innovative therapeutics like biologics and vaccines, including the Covid-19 vaccine, which necessitate specialized materials and specific temperature conditions for packaging and transportation. The future direction of medicine involves targeting specific areas of diseases such as lung or breast cancer, resulting in drugs that are more focused on each segment.

Consequently, there will be fewer blockbuster drugs with large volumes and more investment in sterile manufacturing to accommodate targeted biologic therapies compared to the past. The Covid-19 pandemic has led to a growth in clinical trial activity, with a shift toward virtual clinical trials.

These trials save costs and time by eliminating the need to find patients with the specific disease under study. Additionally, the increasing use of wearables and other high-tech devices, capable of performing functions like telemetry readings and reminding patients to take medication at specific times, is accelerating the move toward virtual approaches, ultimately aiming to expedite the delivery of treatments to patients.

As new advancements emerge, companies in this industry must not merely ride the wave of the tech-driven supply chain revolution; they must stay ahead of it. It is essential to have a forward-looking mindset, embrace new ways of thinking, and continuously evolve to meet the needs of customers and patients. These emerging challenges should ideally serve as catalysts rather than barriers, providing a renewed sense of purpose.

References

Hull, W. (2022, January 27). Digitizing The Pharma Supply Chain Ecosystem. Retrieved from Forbes: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2022/01/27/digitizing-the-pharma-supply-chain-ecosystem/?sh=2600456c315d

Writer, S. (2019, March 07). The Digital Transformation of the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain. Retrieved from Thomasnet: https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/the-digital-transformation-of-the-pharmaceutical-supply-chain/