2021-10-22-埃森哲-Closing_the_supply_chain_visibility_gap_23页_4mb

Pharmaceutical Supply Chain: Closing the Visibility Gap

Core Content

The 2021 Pharmaceutical Supply Chain: Closing the Visibility Gap report highlights the critical need for real-time visibility and smart technologies in the pharmaceutical industry. It underscores the challenges posed by cold chain logistics, security concerns, and supply chain disruptions, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Main Points

1. Shift from JIT to Agility and Resilience

• The pharmaceutical industry is moving away from the traditional Just-In-Time (JIT) model toward a more agile, resilient, and proactive supply chain.
• This shift is driven by the need to manage complexities, disruptions, and fast-growing demands in vaccine and therapy distribution.

2. Cold Chain Challenges

• Cold chain failures result in significant vaccine wastage globally, with over half of vaccines wasted due to temperature excursions.
• The pandemic exposed the vulnerability of the cold chain, highlighting the potential to save a billion vaccines with better visibility and tracking technologies.

3. Visibility and Technology Adoption

• 94% of pharmaceutical supply chain executives are actively using visibility technology to track inbound raw materials and manufacturing schedules.
• 93% of the surveyed organizations plan to implement modern SCV (Supply Chain Visibility) solutions within the next year, and 63% within the next six months.
• Only 6% of organizations are not investing in visibility technology, indicating a trend toward digital transformation.

4. Security and Temperature Reporting

• Security reporting is the top method used to promote product retention, with 96% of executives citing it as a key priority.
• Temperature reporting is also a major concern, with almost half of respondents identifying it as the most impactful factor in managing product performance and security.

5. Impact of Product Loss

• Product loss is a growing issue, with $34.1 billion in annual losses due to temperature excursions.
• Pharmaceutical theft is a serious problem, with $1.2M in oncology drugs stolen in 2020, and $600,000 in pharmaceuticals stolen from a distributor.

6. Role of IoT and Innovation

• IoT (Internet of Things) is revolutionizing the cold chain, with the market projected to reach $4.79 billion in 2021.
• IoT-based sensor tracking provides real-time data and alerts, enhancing security, temperature monitoring, and transparency across the supply chain.

7. Inventory Management and Bullwhip Effect

• Inventory models are evolving to reduce waste and overstocking.
• Real-time visibility helps mitigate the Bullwhip Effect, improving forecasting, inventory accuracy, and operational efficiency.

8. Case Study: 3M

• 3M used FourKites to optimize its N95 respirator production during the pandemic.
• By leveraging real-time data, 3M reduced buffer stock and improved operational efficiency and EBITDA.

9. Collaboration and Continuous Learning

• Collaboration is emerging as the next frontier in supply chain management.
• FourKites emphasizes continuous learning through its education platform, which supports certification and ongoing training for logistics professionals.

Key Information

• Real-time visibility is essential for resilience and efficiency in pharmaceutical supply chains.
• IoT and digital solutions are becoming critical tools for managing temperature, security, and compliance.
• Supply chain leaders are increasingly adopting modern visibility platforms to reduce waste, costs, and delivery risks.
• The Bullwhip Effect is being countered through predictive analytics and inventory optimization.
• Collaboration and technical competence are vital for successful supply chain transformation.

Conclusion

The pharmaceutical supply chain is undergoing a transformation driven by the need for visibility, agility, and resilience. With the pandemic as a catalyst, the industry is embracing innovation and technology to reduce waste, improve patient outcomes, and enhance operational performance. The report concludes that real-time visibility and collaboration are indispensable for digital transformation, and continuous learning is a culture that supports this evolution.