Vipul Bhalla, Chief Business Officer, Pradhaan Air, says that the pharmaceutical supply chain is a vital component of our healthcare system. Medicine efficacy is assumed in our brains, and most people are blissfully unaware of the impact of poor supply chain management on the quality and usability of our pharmaceutical products. Manufacturing standards and standard operating procedures (SOPs) apply to pharmaceuticals and a wide range of sensitive medical equipment. As awareness rises, logistics companies are driven to invest in compliance systems and processes. Following the necessary processes protects pharmaceutical items from any dangers that could jeopardise their integrity and effectiveness.
The infrastructure for the mid-mile segment is in place, but the returns on investment are only now beginning to materialize. Companies that are responsible have accounted for infrastructure-related capital and operating costs. The underlying issue is the infrastructure’s availability in remote areas as well as at the user’s end. Hospitals and distribution channels in rural places have challenges with irregular electricity supplies, shortening shelf life, and, in some situations, rendering products unusable. Large, government-mandated multi-user cold storage facilities in every district of India will help to alleviate the situation. These facilities should be used for things leaving the district as well as those arriving. More critically, awareness in last-mile channels must be raised.
The government and other institutions have done a lot to raise supply chain knowledge.
Reverse logistics in the pharmaceutical business is becoming more common and important from an economic, environmental, and regulatory standpoint. Returns in the pharmaceutical industry are expected to exceed $2.5 billion, with a $5 billion reverse flow of goods. Common reasons for returns in the pharmaceutical industry include incorrect shipments, counterfeit or imitation items, expired or damaged goods, product recalls, and clinical trial recovery. Even after usage, some goods require very careful disposal. The recent epidemic has provided numerous examples of tainted goods being discarded recklessly, with no regard for the greater population.
The government and other institutions have greatly raised supply chain knowledge. It is now up to manufacturers and users to put the lessons learned into action in order to keep our world safe and healthy. This has refocused attention on India as a viable manufacturing and supply chain base. The sector has acquired trust in the political and business environment, and many projects have found their way to India as part of their businesses’ strategic risk mitigation strategies for the future.
I believe the government is already ahead of the game on many fronts, such as the national logistics policy, Gati Shakti, Krishi Udan, establishing a distinct logistics agency, and so on. These are significant programs that will yield tremendous advantages in the future years. While the industry is occasionally focused on short-term actions and victories, it clearly knows that the government is focused on delivering grass-roots route adjustments that will reduce supply chain bottlenecks. One specific recommendation to the government would be to provide top executives in control of crucial departments responsible for supply chain and logistics with longer tenures in order to ensure a faster pace of implementation and strategic direction. I must also praise the administration for its outreach to industry and its consultative approach through various forums.
