The pharmaceutical supply chain : a diagnosis of the state-of-the-art

Thesis (M. Eng. in Logistics)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Engineering Systems Division, 2005.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 148-150).This study explores the current supply chain trends in the pharmaceutical industry. The main objective of the study is to characterize the pharmaceutical industry and identify excellent supply chain practices. Indeed, the pharmaceutical industry is not renowned for its supply chain management capabilities, unlike many other highly publicized industries that have profitably exploited their supply chains. It is, thus, an interesting topic for research. A closer look, however, reveals that our initial assessment of the industry is colored by the popular financial criteria prevalent among analysts and the investing public. This research will suggest that the pharmaceutical industry does care about its supply chain, although, a reevaluation of the supply chain strategy is necessary for addressing problems effectively. In fact, we will argue that an excellent supply chain is paramount to the pharmaceutical industry's success. We subscribe to the view that a supply chain should be considered excellent if it is able to effectively support a business strategy. The business objectives of the pharmaceutical industry include the need to ensure that the drugs are protected from adulteration and counterfeiting, removed and destroyed in a safe and environmentally friendly manner, and made available to patients at all time. Clearly, these are not commonly used metrics to assess the performance of a company or a supply chain.(cont.) Instead, characteristics that have direct impact on the short term financial well being of the company, such as reduced lead times, increased flexibility, and lower cost are the ones that take precedence. As a result, there is a huge gap between the actual and perceived capabilities of the pharmaceutical supply chains. Furthermore, there are clear indications that a radical transformation of the pharmaceutical industry is on the horizon which will require further strengthening of its supply chains, rendering it even more critical to success.by Mahender Singh.M.Eng.in Logistic

Marketing plan: TEVA - OTC

TEVA was founded in 1901 in Israel and today is one of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies in the world. The company was grown due to mergers and acquisitions, more than 20 in the last years. TEVA as a strong presence in markets like Multiple sclerosis, and respiratory, but its main strength is being the global leader in generics. As such, in Portugal, TEVA is on top 5 pharmaceutical companies and is also leading the generic market. The 3 Critical success factors are the portfolio, price, and time to market. The real difference between TEVA and its competitors are the Human resources, of the Portuguese structure. These are one of the most regulated markets in the world, and if companies want to thrive must have to actively bet on innovation and come up to the market with new practical and straightforward solutions to customers/patients. They are getting more and more exigent, and the changes in their habits must always be taken into account. The patient today wants to beware of their condition, and they want to participate in the decision making process with the Health Care Professionals (HCP). Therefore, this thesis consists of a marketing plan proposal for TEVA to launch of a new market segment - self-medication / OTC - through an internal and external analysis, complemented by and implementation proposal. The last one composed by a marketing strategy and an operational plan with recommendations on the several axes of marketing-mix: product, price, placement and promotion.A TEVA foi fundada em 1901 em Israel, e é hoje uma das 10 principais empresas farmacêuticas do mundo. A empresa cresceu sobretudo devido a fusões e aquisições, mais de 20 nos últimos anos. Em Portugal, a TEVA está entre as 5 principais empresas farmacêuticas no Mercado de ambulatório e é também líder de mercado de medicamentos genéricos. Os três factores críticos de sucesso são portfolio, preço e time to market. A filial Portuguesa tem nos seus recursos humanos a sua maior diferenciação versus os seus concorrentes. Este é um dos mercados mais regulamentados do mundo e, se as empresas querem prosperar, precisam apostar fortemente na inovação e chegar ao mercado com novas soluções simples e práticas para os clientes / doentes. Estes estão cada vez mais exigentes, e as mudanças dos hábitos dos clientes / doentes devem sempre ser levadas em consideração. Hoje, o doente quer estar activamente ligado e informado com sua condição de saúde e deseja participar activamente do processo de tomada de decisão com os Profissionais de Saúde (HCP). Neste sentido, esta tese consiste numa proposta de Plano de marketing para a TEVA lançar um novo segmento de mercado - automedicação / OTC - através de uma análise interna e externa, complementada por uma proposta de implementação. Este último composto por uma estratégia de marketing e um plano operacional com recomendações sobre os vários eixos do mix de marketing: produto, preço, posicionamento e promoção

Factors affecting supply chain integration in public hospital pharmacies in Kenya

The purpose of this study was to develop and empirically test the Supply Chain Integration Framework (SCI framework) in order to develop a framework to address the inefficiencies experienced in the public hospital pharmacies’ Supply Chain (SC) in Kenya. Supply Chain Management (SCM) can be regarded as a vibrant business entity that is changing and evolving continually because of constant changes in technology, competition and customer demands. The study investigated and analysed how the independent variables, namely SCI initiatives, performance improvement drivers, organisation environmental forces, workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, regulatory framework and information sharing and technology influenced the SCI. The SCI was categorised into three components namely: customer order fulfilment, supplier collaboration and dedicated SC as the dependent variable. The literature reviewed established that globalisation and intensive worldwide competition, alongside technological developments, creates a completely new operating environment for organisations. The researcher reviewed various models and theories related to SCI which include systems theory, value chain models and value ecology models among others. An SCI framework was then developed to capture the interacting variables within the SCI network that could be adopted for the public hospital pharmacies in Kenya. The study was conducted using a survey questionnaire (Annexure B) that comprised both open and closed ended questions that were distributed to managers in public hospitals and pharmacies in Kenya. The population for the survey was 154 public hospital pharmacies in Kenya, with the final sample comprised of 280 respondents. The study was conducted using a survey questionnaire (Annexure B) that comprised both open and closed ended questions that were distributed to 325 respondents in 154 public hospitals and pharmacies in Kenya. The population for the survey was 154 public hospital pharmacies in Kenya, with the final sample comprised of 280 respondents. Exploratory factor analysis was used to ascertain the validity of the measuring instrument and the Cronbach alpha coefficients were used to measure the reliability of the measuring instruments. Key preliminary tests performed were the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test (KMO test) of sample adequacy, the Bartlett’s test of sphericity and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test (Z-Statistic test) for normality and multi-collinearity diagnostic. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and multiple linear regressions were the main statistical procedures used to test the regression model fit and the significance of the relationships hypothesised among various variables in the study. Statistical softwares, namely Statistica 10 (2010) and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 18, were used to analyse quantitative data. The study identified five statistically significant relationships between customer order fulfilment and workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, information sharing and technology, supplier collaborations and dedicated SCI. In addition, a total of six statistically significant relationships exist between the supplier collaborations and SCI initiatives i.e. performance improvement drivers, workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, information sharing and technology adoption as well as dedicated SCI. Furthermore, four statistically significant relationships were found between dedicated SCI and SCI initiatives, workforce and management support, financial factors, flow and integration, information sharing and technology adoption

Reverse logistics practices in the Nigerian pharmaceutical sector

This thesis presents findings from an exploratory study of reverse logistics practices in the Nigerian pharmaceutical private sector. Reverse logistics has received increased attention in recent years due to the sustainability and circular economy implications of value recapture and end-of-life product disposition. A significant amount of reverse logistics research has been done in developed countries but very little has been undertaken in the pharmaceutical industry and developing nations, particularly Africa where recent health crises such as the Ebola virus necessitate safe and proper reverse logistics solutions. This study investigated characteristics, similarities and differences in pharmaceutical reverse logistics practices of 19 private sector pharmaceutical organisations in Nigeria including the regulatory authority to determine facilitating, enabling and inhibiting factors and develop improvement opportunities for the sector. This exploratory research used a multiple case study method involving semi-structured interviews with pharmaceutical supply chain stakeholders and practitioners to explore five research questions within a seven perspectives framework derived for this study. Empirical findings came from within-case, within case-category, and cross case-category analysis of the 19 case organisations. This study contributes a conceptual understanding of pharmaceutical reverse logistics management through operationalising the seven perspectives framework and developing a typology of six important pharmaceutical reverse logistics process flows. This study has identified specific factors that facilitate, drive, or inhibit pharmaceutical reverse logistics practices in Nigeria and differentiated them from those in extant literature. This study impacts research by providing theoretically grounded and empirically informed insights into reverse logistics practices in both the pharmaceutical supply chain and a developing nation, Nigeria. To the researcher’s knowledge, it is the first of its kind to do so. This study augments the reverse logistics content framework by including a seventh perspective, the “when perspective”. The extended reverse logistics framework provides a basic structure upon which researchers can utilise to explore various issues in reverse logistics, thereby providing a starting point for future pharmaceutical reverse logistics researchers, particularly in developing countries. This study contributes to practice by revealing the ‘current state’ of pharmaceutical reverse logistics practices in the Nigerian private sector, identifying improvement opportunities, and suggesting implementable measures to facilitate best practice. Finally, this study contributes to the increasing usage, and applicability of qualitative methods in logistics research

Crummer SunTrust Portfolio Recommendations: Crummer Investment Management [2018]

The Crummer SunTrust Portfolio’s Investment Policy Statement requires that the management team determine portfolio allocations based on a consensus estimate of the market’s behavior throughout the coming year. This team has conducted thorough economic research using a variety of respected sources, developed a comprehensive market analysis, and heard from a well-rounded selection of industry experts (including economists, portfolio managers, and financial advisors) to inform this year’s investment decision. The team analyzed and discussed a range of likely economic possibilities for the upcoming year to shape a consensus that would serve to inform portfolio decisions. The team also evaluated the potential upsides and downsides relative to each economic factor to guide appropriate responses regarding individual stock selections and portfolio design. Finally, the team’s investment strategy has been to select securities trading at a significant discount to market value. We believe this strategy will mitigate any market volatility while providing a larger total return

Crummer SunTrust Portfolio Recommendations: Crummer Investment Management

The following report will walk you through this analysis beginning with an economic outlook, which in turn influences our portfolio design. The designated sector analysts then assess the portfolio holdings of each sector and determine whether the positions align with our forecast. This assessment includes a broad sector outlook, as well as a fundamental outlook for each individual holding. The decision to buy, hold, or sell is based on the sector analysts’ valuation. Finally, the report concludes with an overall portfolio assessment given the proposed changes supported by mean variance efficiency and a value at risk diagnosis

Aligning strategy typology and human resource management in a transitional environment : the case of Huabo Group

In a transitional society like China, it is a challenge to align an enterprise human resource management with its strategy while adapting to a dynamic external environment. There is limited studies in this regard, particularly on how private enterprises may align human resource management with strategy typology in a changing environment of emerging economy. Guided by the theoretical framework of strategy typology and human resources management alignment proposed by Miles and Snow (1984), this study investigates Huabo Group, a pharmaceutical distribution firm in Chongqing of China as a case study because this firm has developed and grown in a very dynamic, complex and hostile environment due to the rapid change of Chinese pharmaceuticals industry. Thus it provides a very illustrative sample to examine strategy typology and human resources management alignment in emerging market like China. Based on quantitative and qualitative data through survey and interview/focus group, this study: (1) finds and justifies the prospector strategy of Huabo Group under transitional external environment; (2) identifies and discusses the gaps and issues of aligning Huabo’s human resources management and prospector strategy; (3) proposes strategies to improve its human resources system to better align and support its strategy for the enterprise sustainable growth in a rapid changing environment. The study provides an illustrative case from Chinese pharmaceuticals industry to manage the challenges of aligning human resource management with organizational strategy while adapting to external environment in emerging economy, thus enriching theoretical literatures. The research results provide valuable reference for similar enterprises to give consideration to human resources management alignment during strategy adjustment under rapid changing emerging market like China.Numa sociedade em transição, como a chinesa, alinhar a gestão de recursos humanos de uma empresa com a sua estratégia e em simultâneo adaptar-se ao ambiente dinâmico externo constitui um desafio. A investigação sobre este assunto tem sido limitada, especialmente sobre como as empresas privadas podem alinhar a gestão de recursos humanos com uma tipologia de estratégia num ambiente mutável de uma economia emergente. Guiado pela matriz teórica da tipologia estratégica de Miles e Snow (1984), este estudo investiga o Grupo Huabo, uma empresa de distribuição farmacêutica em Chongqin na China, tomando-o como um caso de estudo por esta empresa se ter desenvolvido e crescido num ambiente hostil, complexo e muito dinâmico devido às rápidas mudanças na indústria farmacêutica chinesa. Desta forma, constitui um caso muito ilustrativo para examinar o alinhamento entre a tipologia estratégica e a gestão de recursos humanos num mercado emergente como o da China. Com base em dados quantitativos e qualitativos decorrentes de questionário e entrevistas/grupos focais, este estudo: 1) descobre e justifica a estratégia prospetora do grupo Huabo no quadro de um ambiente externo em transição, 2) identifica e discute as discrepâncias e os desafios de alinhar a gestão dos recursos humanos da Huabo com a estratégia prospetora, e 3) propõe estratégias para melhorar o seu sistema de recursos humanos com vista a um melhor alinhamento e apoio estratégico que favoreça o crescimento sustentável da empresa num ambiente em mudança rápida. O estudo faculta um caso ilustrativo da indústria farmacêutica chinesa para gerir o desafio do alinhamento da gestão de recursos humanos com a estratégia organizacional no quadro da adaptação a um ambiente externo numa economia emergente, assim enriquecendo a literatura teórica. A investigação constitui uma referência útil para empresas similares que queiram considerar o alinhamento da gestão de recursos humanos durante o ajustamento estratégico em condições de mercado emergente em rápida mutação tal como o da China

Investigating the Potential Transfer of the Efficient-Consumer-Response-Model from the Fast-Moving-Consumer-Goods into Pharmaceutical Wholesale Business in Germany

The aim of the research is to evaluate the possibility of transferring the Efficient Consumer Response (ECR) model developed in the Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) sector into the pharmaceutical sector and to propose an adapted model for the German market. The German pharmaceutical market is consolidating distribution channels and demand power is shifting towards pharmacies (Hofmann, 2013a). The manufacturers` aim for differentiation requires being closer to patients and pharmacists. Therefore, they increasingly do business directly with pharmacies (Insight Health, 2013). Wholesalers are caught between the strong supply power of manufacturers and increasing demand power of pharmacies (Hofmann, 2013b). Exploratory research was undertaken using the case study method to consider how the ECR model from FMCG can be adapted for the pharmaceutical wholesale business. A single case study was considered as different wholesalers would not participate due to their competitive market and because I am an employee of the case company (Celesio AG). The study was conducted in the German subsidiary (GEHE Pharma). Semi structured interviews with key account managers from FMCG and pharmaceutical manufacturers, Celesio AG management board, GEHE Pharma management and retail pharmacists were conducted. Additional data were generated linked to participative observation during manufacturer meetings between GEHE Pharma and pharmaceutical manufacturers, as well as from secondary and internal documentary material. Findings suggest that several similarities between the FMCG market and the pharmaceutical market exist. No aspect was found which would not allow implementing ECR principles into the pharmaceutical market in Germany. The model is adapted according to the research findings. The adjusted model considers that the pharmaceutical market shows more complexity in terms of the market actors. In this market three main participants exist: pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmaceutical wholesalers and retail pharmacists. Whereas in the FMCG market the ECR model incorporates the relationship directly between FMCG manufacturers and grocery retailers; no wholesaler is considered in that model. Therefore, the adapted model needs some adjustments for the pharmaceutical wholesale market, which are presented in the research. Furthermore, the research delivers evidence that the ECR model is not static and can be adjusted in terms of the number of participants, content and different dimensions in the relationship between different stakeholders and can, therefore, also be implemented in other industries. exist: pharmaceutical manufacturers, pharmaceutical wholesalers and retail pharmacists. Whereas in the FMCG market the ECR model incorporates the relationship directly between FMCG manufacturers and grocery retailers; no wholesaler is considered in that model. Therefore, the adapted model needs some adjustments for the pharmaceutical wholesale market, which are presented in the research. Furthermore, the research delivers evidence that the ECR model is not static and can be adjusted in terms of the number of participants, content and different dimensions in the relationship between different stakeholders and can, therefore, also be implemented in other industries