Rapid response speed of supply chains can slow down and even prevent further increase of casualties in a pandemic.
As per the World Health Organization, end-to-end supply chains and logistics systems are the foundation of successful immunization programs. We’ve seen with COVID-19 that supply chains play an important role in response measures to help local healthcare systems when they’re reaching their maximum capacity. Quick solutions like building emergency hospitals, re-allocating resources and supplies for front-line medical workers, have led to more immediate treatment and less spread of the coronavirus.
During a global health emergency like this, a strong and advanced supply chain is critical. There needs to be continuous visibility along the supply chain to minimize interruption of the flow of supplies and to improve overall response speed. Advanced software and systems streamline the data needed for companies and governments to work on shortened timelines and synchronize workflows to coordinate effectively.
To ensure product integrity, issues and challenges in supply chains need to be identified and then analyzed for all possible outcomes and scenarios. It’s also important to have visibility into contextual information for all business and environmental material goods and assets as well as information on factors like condition, location and timing to understand the status at every stage in the supply chain.
Continuous visibility makes it possible for biopharma companies to be notified and intervene in case there’s a temperature excursion issue (when critical treatments are stalled due to dubious stability and efficacy) anywhere in the supply chain. Continuous visibility can also help with pharma products that need to be temperature controlled during manufacturing.
It has become more and more apparent that supply chains no longer remain invisible and the global response to COVID-19 has pushed public and private sectors to transition to modernization of their supply chains; which will now possibly make businesses more efficient, flexible and better orchestrated.