Refocus and restart of the pharmaceutical supply chain

IMPROVING RELIABILITY AND OPTIMIZATION IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL SUPPLY CHAIN

In today’s globalized world, the pharmaceutical supply chain is undergoing significant transformations driven by technological advancements, regulatory shifts, globalization, and unexpected global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure reliability and robustness of the supply chain, many optimizations are taking place, and these changes are crucial to ensure that medications reach patients safely, efficiently, and cost-effectively. Several key strategies and technological advancements are driving this transformation, addressing challenges such as supply chain disruptions and regulatory compliance.

Here are some of the key transformations:

Digitalization

Digital transformation is at the heart of supply chain improvements. Technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, and advanced analytics are providing visibility and control over the entire supply chain. Furthermore, Machine Learning and Artificial intelligence facilitate predictive modeling and demand forecasting, helping companies anticipate and mitigate potential disruptions.

Enhancing Supply Chain Resilience

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in pharmaceutical supply chains, highlighting the need for greater resilience. Companies are now adopting strategies to diversify their supplier base and reduce dependency on single sources. This involves establishing multi-sourcing agreements and building strategic partnerships with suppliers from different geographical regions.

Collaboration and Partnerships

Integrated supply chain management involves fostering collaboration and communication across all stakeholders, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and healthcare providers.

Sustainability

Sustainability is becoming a critical consideration in optimizing supply chains. Pharmaceutical companies are increasingly focusing on reducing their carbon footprint and waste. This includes adopting eco-friendly packaging, optimizing transportation routes to reduce emissions, and implementing green manufacturing practices.

Use of Data for Continuous Improvement

Data analytics plays a vital role in continuously improving supply chain operations. By analyzing historical data and performance metrics, companies can identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies. This enables them to implement targeted improvements and track their impact over time.

Regulatory Compliance

Stricter regulations imposed by agencies like the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and EMA (European Medicines Agency) have necessitated greater transparency, quality control, and adherence to standards throughout the supply chain.

These changes are fully transforming the pharmaceutical supply chain into a more advanced, integrated, and patient-centric system, capable of adapting to the dynamic demands of the global market and ensuring the safe and efficient manufacturing and delivery of medications.

HOW ANGELINI FINE CHEMICALS IS OPERATING

 In the Angelini Fine Chemicals Business Unit the optimization of the supply chain is a constant commitment started many years ago and which goes ahead according to a continuous improvement system. Among the main pillars of our supply chain optimization process have particular importance:

• Digitalization:To date, many of the steps of supply chain are connected to digital systems, such us ERP, LIMS, CDS, eQMS, MES and RIMS which cover the entire life cycle of the product, from procurement to shipment.
• Sourcing:Reshoring of the Suppliers; To date per our starting materials we prefer, as first choice, European and/or historically reliable suppliers; they are chosen with a risk-based approach, validated and, at least, one back-up, is always guaranteed.
• Manufacturing: Green approach: continuous research to improve our historical manufacturing processes to reduce the environmental impact, waste and pollution.
• Distribution: continuous monitoring of the distribution system; to date for transport and distribution services we fully collaborate with global players. They are chosen with a risk-based approach, validated and periodically audited to ensure the required standards.

Our choices testify to the constant commitment of Angelini Fine Chemicals in Supply Chain optimization, with the objective of a more technological, innovative, sustainable and especially reliable health system.

CONCLUSION

The transformation of the pharmaceutical supply chain through different levels of optimization to improve reliability and optimization is a challenge which involves some different areas, such as technology, resilience strategies, integrated management, and sustainability.

By implementing these changes, pharmaceutical companies will be able to ensure a more reliable and efficient supply chain, improving patient outcomes and remain competitive on the market.

ANNA ROSARIA NOCERINO

Sales & Custom Synthesis BD Manager

Angelini Pharma | Fine Chemicals Business Unit