2021 — This year had several highs and lows with mixed results in almost every industry. The most reported news centered on the supply chain and it has been fraught with challenges. The interruptions from port to dock have consumed media outlets. Normally supply chain was an industry topic and rarely covered by worldwide media. We’ve […]
Omicron sweeps across the nation — 73% of United States COVID-19 cases. Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S., federal health officials said Monday. Coronavirus is disrupting the Christmas holiday — As people start to travel for the holidays, doctors warn the surge in Covid-19 cases could continue thanks […]
Value statements, or Value propositions Each have different definitions and objectives, but they are relatively the same within various industries. And then there’s the health care supply chain. What’s the value proposition? Pinpointing the priorities: Supply chain in health care has many competing value statements within any given organization. The elasticity and influence of the […]
Investing In Data Management The world of supply chain management in health care is evolving extremely fast, as COVID-19 (see graph) has been a significant influencer of technology development. However, like COVID, the state of some organizations’ data was a shock; many were unprepared for the future and the cost associated with modernizing. It is estimated […]
Humanitarian Heroes Medical Bridges’ vision: (Photo: Walter Ulrich/MedicalBridges) “A world in which every person enjoys accessto quality health care with dignity and respect.” Non-Governmental Organization on a Mission Medical Bridges is one of hundreds of humanitarian aid organizations being impacted by the current global supply chain and competing for space along with all the other […]
Marken will add global locations as clinical trials activity ramps up.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the federal government’s lack of visibility into the health care supply chain. Over the last 18 months, several government agencies have been developing systems to better monitor medical supplies before the next pandemic arrives.
The U.S. has enough of COVID-19 vaccines to run a booster campaign, but staffing clinics, predicting demand and managing the proper inventory could still be a challenge.
In addition to vaccines, the federal government hopes to use frequent testing as a tool to allow people to return to work, school and other daily activities. It’s already spending billions on tests.
Demand for COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. has fallen substantially since a peak in early May. Now, boosters for older patients and a forthcoming requirement that large employers vaccinate or test workers could cause demand to rebound.
Hospitals are pushing medical manufacturers, distributors and other suppliers to adopt more aggressive environmental goals. But it can be difficult to track down information about sustainability of medical products.
The White House’s recent COVID-19 plan calls on employers and schools to implement frequent testing, which could increase demand. Test manufacturers are speeding up production, but many questions remain.
Google previously prevented marketing of N95 respirators on its shopping platform due to shortages. Mask makers complained that policy didn’t line up with health guidance and curtailed sales. Now the tech giant has reversed course.
A White House plan to counter future pandemics includes billions of dollars for efforts to speed up production and distribution of new vaccines, diagnostic tests and PPE. The White House is also dedicating $3 billion to speed up production of COVID-19 vaccines.
Health care utilization had mostly recovered to normal levels by June. As COVID-19 cases rise, it’s hard for health care companies to predict demand for elective procedures, PPE and COVID-19 testing for the rest of 2021.
E-commerce tools have made retail shopping extremely convenient. Now, companies want to bring that convenience to the health care supply chain. Health care’s complex and highly regulated environment may make that difficult.
As high prices continue for freight and raw materials, companies in the health care supply chain are coming up with strategies to weather those costs. Customers may ultimately foot the bill.
Even as the delta variant increases COVID-19 case numbers in the U.S., distributors and manufacturers are reporting they had too much PPE in the second quarter.
Policymakers are enthusiastic about supporting domestic manufacturing of drugs and medical devices. Health care companies want to make sure they get their share of that support.
Doctors hope to use 3D printers as a way to personalize drug doses, but it will be challenging for regulators to monitor that type of supply chain.
After years of negotiations, several major drug distributors have proposed a settlement to resolve claims they contributed to the opioid crisis.
Small businesses, schools and enthusiasts used 3D printers to make millions of PPE products last year, but the technology may be too slow to make a big difference going forward.
Medical gloves and gowns in the U.S. have been in short supply during the pandemic. Now HHS is researching ways to expand domestic production.
Makers of PPE and test kits are laying off hundreds of workers as the demand for their products drop.
The pandemic forced researchers to incorporate remote elements into clinical trials. Now, that’s becoming routine and logistics companies are stepping up to make it possible.
Lockdown measures are slowing production of medical gloves in Malaysia, which produces the vast majority of the world’s supply. The use of forced labor and a lack of domestic U.S. production could mean shortages will continue into 2022.
The story behind shortages of two skin disinfectant products is a parable about the challenges facing medical supply chains right now.
A group of U.S. mask manufacturers is calling on the federal government to buy their products to prevent the industry from collapsing.
Amid calls to produce more drugs in the U.S., a startup has raised $73 million to produce drug components from engineered yeast.
The agency used regulatory flexibility and expedited reviews extensively to prevent drug shortages in 2020.
A Seattle-based startup aiming to give health care providers an easier way to get medical supplies recently raised $1.5 million in seed funding to expand its business.
Device makers ask the federal government for help getting shipments through crowded ports, but it’s not clear how that would work.
An increase in elective surgeries and accidents is increasing demand for blood in the U.S., leading to severe shortages, according to a Red Cross report.
A new tech transfer hub in South Africa aims to increase access to COVID-19 vaccines in countries that have struggled to get shots.
A problematic Emergent vaccine plant in Maryland still lacks approval, even after FDA declared some doses produced there are safe to use.
Incentives for manufacturers and more supply chain visibility could help reduce shortages, according to a new White House report.
The details are murky, but the decision to remove priority ratings under the Defense Production Act may not change much about the vaccines supply chain.
A group of private equity firms signed a deal, reportedly worth $30 billion, for a majority stake in the private medical distributor Medline.
The Strategic National Stockpile is asking Congress for more money to build back its inventory following the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s already starting to make improvements to day-to-day operations.
The FDA is asking Congress to fund new programs focused on regulating the health care supply chain and mitigating shortages.
Amazon’s yearslong foray into health care still hasn’t upended the industry, and it’s unclear if the recent steps will change that pattern.
Experts told lawmakers in a hearing last week that adding geographic diversity and careful planning could strengthen the health care supply chain.
Logistics is the name of the game when it comes to getting health care supplies to patients in disaster zones or places experiencing disease outbreaks.
Companies in the health care supply chain are preparing to change gears as COVID-19 cases fall and health care utilization returns to normal levels.
Health care distributors ramped up distribution of PPE and vaccines during the pandemic but normal health care usage fell.
Drug manufacturers say contingency plans have helped avoid major disruptions to production, but hospitals still face shortages.
How would intellectual property waivers affect the vaccine supply chain? Supporters say sharing IP will boost production. Others say a lack of workers, production facilities and supplies means sharing IP won’t help.
As the number of COVID-19 cases decreases, some manufacturers and suppliers of personal protective equipment are predicting demand will start to drop over the coming months.
The use of telehealth surged during the pandemic, and some experts expect it will remain elevated. Treating more patients at home could mean suppliers will have to shift how they get medical products to patients or health care providers.
India is experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases. The U.S. is sending supplies to help overwhelmed hospitals and speed up vaccine manufacturing.
Many companies sought out supply chain visibility during the pandemic. Now, they’re unlikely to go back.
After problems with the Johnson & Johnson and AstraZeneca vaccines, Europe plots a new course. Also, Johnson & Johnson leaders are optimistic about vaccine despite setbacks.
J&J’s shot makes up a small portion of the vaccine campaign in the U.S., so the impact should be small.
The number of biologic drugs and gene therapies is growing, and logistics companies are increasing their capacity for temperature-controlled transportation to support them.
Drug shortages have plagued the U.S. for years, but the scarcity of certain drugs during the pandemic energized some experts to renew efforts to address the problem.
Armed with more data and real-world examples, some public health officials are renewing their calls to delay second doses
President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan is light on details, but it could affect the health care supply chain.
Drug manufacturers are trying to massively scale up production, which will require companies to share information and governments to make financial investments.
The pandemic slashed ride volumes for medical transportation providers that brought patients to appointments. Now, some want to bring drugs and supplies to patients.
Criminals are trying to sell fake COVID-19 vaccines to desperate governments and citizens, threatening trust in the real health care supply chain.
Security measures and remote locations complicate the last mile. But some correctional systems are vaccinating inmates quickly.
Companies that are normally competitors are making deals to share technology and manufacturing capacity to produce enough COVID-19 vaccines.
The effort to stop the COVID-19 pandemic is generating a lot of waste. Now, health care providers have to dispose of those materials.
Companies in a wide variety of industries are starting to offer vaccines to their employees at work. That protects employees’ health and the company’s bottom line.
The FDA failed to conduct 1,000 inspections last year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That backlog could clog the pharmaceutical supply chain.
The recent stimulus bill would funnel billions to the health care supply chain quickly. Recent executive orders indicate the feds aim to focus on health care supply chain long term.
Delaying second doses would change the distribution pattern for vaccines and reshape the supply chain. Also, vaccine manufacturers say supply is about to dramatically increase.
Americans of color are receiving the vaccine at far lower rates than white Americans. Doctors and ethicists say prioritizing essential workers and more proactive outreach would create a more equitable supply chain.
A winter storm delayed shipments of COVID-19 vaccine doses across the U.S. The Biden administration expects delayed doses to arrive soon.
Supply chain experts say a national IT system for vaccine distribution could speed things up.
