Pharmaceutical retail supply chain responses to the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of resilient supply chain and operations management in the pharmaceutical industry has intensified. A particular challenge has been the timely adaptation to rapid fluctuations in the business environment to cope with disruptions and ensure the adequate supply of medical equipment and pharmaceuticals. In this study, we perform a simulation-based analysis of pandemic-triggered impacts on pharmaceutical supply chains in Germany with the aim of examining supply chain response to the COVID-19 pandemic. To accomplish this, we build a digital supply chain model using a hybrid approach that combines case study analysis and discrete-event simulation implemented in anyLogistix. Based on the results, we propose a specific response action plan for the pharmaceutical industry that can be deployed in response to severe disruptions and pandemic-like crises. We also offer a resilience framework for the post-pandemic environment as a guideline for strategic decision-making.