Article 8: Alarms during the pandemic and beyond (3/3)

Several factors should be taken into account in attempts to understand the real impact on the supply chain.

Numerous reasons for disruptions of the supply chain
A focus on collective action and multiple interventions simultaneously is needed.
 
Continuous planning and change during uncertainty
Things are constantly changing – by the day, hour, and minute. Each decision has a ripple effect on the supply chain, whether positive or negative.
 
Time urgency
There is an urgency associated with administering or providing many medications – particularly in the case of a pandemic.
 
Price and Cost
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has reported that manufacturers, such as Sandoz and Bayer Pharmaceuticals, have donated millions of doses of hydroxychloroquine sulfate and Resochin (medical grade chloroquine phosphate) to the stockpile.(1) Societal gains have taken priority over financial gains, but for how long? What remains unclear is how pricing regulation will change, given our current realities and into the future.
 
Stockpiling and hoarding
In general, stockpiling and hoarding reduce the amount of medications available for others to obtain. This could accelerate the occurrence of a potential drug shortage. Greater attention and evaluation is needed to determine the impact of stockpiling on access to medications across geographies.
 
Sustainability of interventions
How sustainable are our approaches and solutions? Are the processes temporary versus long term solutions or lasting interventions? If they are temporary, how long will they last, and what is next?

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Previous Article # 7
Alarms during the pandemic and beyond – Part II of III

Article # 9: 
Eight Lessons Learned

Disclaimer
Information is constantly evolving in the healthcare space. Responsible effort was made to provide accurate information from reliable sources at the time of publication. Information provided in the articles and website is done so in good faith; however, no liabilities for the information (such as errors or omission) exist. The reader should make their own assessment and determination of how they will use the information provided. The author and publisher provide no guarantees of any specific outcome or consequence as a result of utilizing recommendations or information offered in this article. Readers are advised to continuously check the latest updates, practices and guidelines.
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1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HHS accepts donations of medicine to Strategic National Stockpile as possible treatments for COVID-19 patients. https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2020/03/29/hhs-accepts-donations-of-medicine-to-strategic-national-stockpile-as-possible-treatments-for-covid-19-patients.html