In its report, PwC notes several factors that will greatly affect the production of pharmaceutical goods and warehouse supplies as well as their distribution in the market. Pharmaceutical companies need to rework their supply chains in order to deal with changes in health reform, new products, new healthcare delivery methods and new markets.
“The current pharmaceutical supply chain worked well when the ‘blockbuster’ paradigm prevailed, but [pharmaceutical companies’] focus in a post-health reform world is shifting from products to patients, and their supply chain processes need to adopt the speed and agility of other, more consumer-oriented industries such as consumer electronics and mass retailing,” said Wynn Bailey, PwC’s head of supply chain strategies.
“In a world where outcomes count for everything, health organizations need to acquire a much deeper understanding of patients and their healthcare needs. Information is the new currency, and the data behind the product may soon be as valuable as the product itself,” Mr. Bailey added.