Exploring Generalisations for Sustainability Assessment in Medicine Manufacturing Networks

Generalisations or ‘rules of thumb’ are widely used in industry to make initial assessments on the sustainability impacts of products. This paper re-examines the principles underpinning these generalisations in assessing the environmental impacts of medicine manufacturing network configurations. Each principle is illustrated through the application of selected methods, tools, and data using an exemplar case of a major non-proprietary analgesic. The findings identify the kind of generalised knowledge claims that are possible using alternative approaches, and which methodological issues may aris

Combining field data analysis and simulation to evaluate an alternative Just-In-Time clinical trial supply strategy

This paper combines recurrence analysis of field data from clinical trial supply chain (CTSC) with a proof-of-concept inventory profile simulation to evaluate an alternative packing capability that supports just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing and distribution of investigational medicinal products (IMP). Assumptions for JIT packing supply capabilities and expedite quality release were taken from a detailed design prototype recently commissioned by a leading pharmaceutical consortium. The suggested technological intervention is assessed in its ability to reduce finished good inventory while adequately responding to the dynamics of uncertain patient recruitment and required service levels. The proposed combination of field data analysis and simulation enables practitioners to consider the possibilities for a more economically viable adaptive clinical trial supply based on JIT technologies and near real-time product utilisation information across multiple locations

Assessing the economic connectedness of the UK pharmaceutical and digital sectors by Input-Output Analysis

This paper applies the principles of Input Output Analysis (IOA) to identify key structural dependencies between the pharmaceutical sector, the digital sectors, and all the other sectors in an economy. The computation and visualisation of selected metrics to evaluate the strength of downstream and upstream economic connectedness of the digital and pharmaceutical sec-tors is demonstrated using digital data collections for the UK national economy. Although the analysis is limited to a single-country and a single reference year for illustrative purposes, the proposed approach is meant to provide a bird’s-eye view on how the networked structure of the economic system determines paths of influence between the sectors of interests. Such a top-level view is meant to inform and complement the assessment of individual technology interventions of relevance for the ‘digitisation’ of end-to-end pharmaceutical supply chain

Is last-mile delivery only viable in densely populated centres? A preliminary cost-to-serve simulation for online grocery in the UK

This paper proposes a conceptualisation of the ‘cost-to-serve’ linking the economic viability of last-mile delivery. Specifically, a cost-to-serve model is developed against business-specific indicators, such as share of online sales for a given catchment/geography. The outputs are then discussed in terms of e-commerce penetration and retailer density for the designated catchment/geography. Preliminary evidence is generated by means of computer simulation for a case in online retail of fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) with a focus on the UK. To this purpose a three-stage, pragmatic simulation approach is outlined, using widely available data in order to evaluate alternative last-mile network configurations, and their associated cost-to-serve cost curves. At each stage a sub-model generates, respectively, 1) order-generating locations; 2) basket composition; and 3) last mile delivery cost. Off-the-shelf tools are employed throughout to generate and visualise key analytics, thus facilitating replicability in real-world industrial settings. Results suggest that as well as having cost benefits with increased market penetration and/or increasing the number of drops per journey, as might be predicted, there appears significant potential to narrow the spread of cost variability for a given market penetration by influencing the available locations/time/price options to online customers. The proposed approach can support similar developments besides FMCG, for example in the pharmaceutical industry as direct-to-home medicine delivery becomes a credible option

Modified Atmosphere Packaging and low temperature storage extend marketability of cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.)

Cherimoya is a subtropical fruit characterized by a delicious, sweet flavor and beneficial health properties, which found suitable growing conditions in the South of Italy. However, the marketing of this product is halted by its high perishability, which limits the shelf-life of the fresh fruit to few days after harvest and does not allow for commercialization beyond local markets. Studies have shown that storage of this fruit in controlled atmosphere, using Modified Atmosphere Packaging technologies, extended the post-harvest life of Cherimoya, but little is still known about the evolution of its sensory, nutraceutical and microbiological characteristics during such storage period. In this paper, we studied the effect of a 4-days long active-MAP (30% CO2 – 10% O2 – 60% N2) storage period, associated with cold temperatures, on the physico-chemical, sensory, nutraceutical and microbiological quality traits of Italian-grown cherimoya fruits, compared with passive-MAP (Air composition, 21% O2 + 1% CO2 + 78% N2) and simple cold storage. Active-MAP proved effective in delaying the reaching of the optimal consumption point until 10 days from harvest, besides showing absence of microbial growth until after 7 days from harvest. Both active- and passive-MAP treatments maintained better nutraceutical values than control until the end of the trial period, and sensory analysis confirmed that active-MAP treated fruits were at the optimal commercial stage after 10 days from harvest

Toward a computational structure for life cycle sustainability analysis: unifying LCA and LCC

Purpose: A widely used theory of the computational structure of life cycle assessment (LCA) has been available for more than a decade. The case of environmental life cycle cost (LCC) is still less clear: even the recent Code of Practice does not specify any formula to use. Methods: This paper does not aim to resolve all the issues at stake. But it aims to provide an explicit and transparent description of how to calculate the life cycle cost (in whatever way defined), and the value added across the life cycle. Results and discussion: The expressions obtained can be fed into the formulas for eco-efficiency, so that an explicit and reproducible eco-efficiency indicator can be calculated. Conclusions: The results are useful for developing life cycle sustainability analysis, combining LCA, LCC, and social LCA. © 2012 The Author(s)

Pharmaceutical supply chain models: A synthesis from a systems view of operations research

This research evaluates reconfiguration opportunities in Pharmaceutical Supply Chains (PSC) resulting from technology interventions in manufacturing, and new, more patient-centric delivery models. A critical synthesis of the academic and practice literature is used to identify, conceptualise, analyse and categorise PSC models. From a theoretical perspective, a systems view of operations research is adopted to provide insights on a broader range of OR activities, from conceptual to mathematical modelling and model solving, up to implementation. The research demonstrates that: 1) current definitions of the PSC are largely production-centric and fail to capture patient consumption, and hence healthcare outcomes; 2) most PSC mathematical models lack adequate conceptualisation of the structure and behaviour of the supply chain, and the boundary conditions that need to be considered for a given problem; 3) models do not adequately specify current unit operations or future production technology options, and are therefore unable to address the critical questions around alternative product or process technologies; 4) economic evaluations are limited to direct costing, rather than systemic approaches such as supply chain costing and total cost of ownership. While current models of the PSC may help with the optimisation of specific unit operations, their theoretical benefits could be offset by the dynamics of complex upstream (supply) and downstream (distribution and healthcare delivery) systems. To overcome these limitations, this research provides initial directions towards an integrated systems approach to PSC modelling. This perspective involves problem conceptualisation and boundary definition; design, formulation and solution of mathematical models, through to practical implementation of identified solutions. For both academics and practitioners, research findings suggest a systems approach to PSC modelling can provide improved conceptualisation and evaluation of alternative technologies, and supply network configuration options.Support from the Advanced Manufacturing Supply Chain Initiative (grant no. 35708-233529, ReMediES—Reconfiguring Medicines End-to-End Supply), and the EPSRC Future Continuous Manufacturing and Advanced Crystallisation (CMAC) Research Hub (grant no. EP/P006965/1) is gratefully acknowledged

Continuous manufacturing technologies in upstream pharmaceutical supply chains: Combining engineering and managerial criteria

Funder: Support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Future Continuous Manufacturing and Advanced Crystallization (CMAC) Research Hub (Grant No. EP/P006965/1) is gratefully acknowledged.; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000266The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in upstream pharmaceutical supply chains (PSC). One is that the global supply of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) is overly dependent on few locations and large-scale batch manufacturing. Regulators hope to enable more dependable location decisions and improved processing quality with the adoption of advanced technologies such as process intensification through continuous manufacturing (CM). Conceptual work suggests that the benefits of shifting from batch to CM accrue end-to-end across the PSC. Yet detailed quantitative information about CM is limited at an early stage of evaluation, and too specialised to inform managerial decisions about PSC reconfiguration. Supply chain and engineering criteria are rarely combined in the early-stage evaluation of alternative CM technologies. Extant CM research typically overlooks implications for supply chain managers. To address the current gap, this paper evaluates, at an early stage of adoption, alternative CM reactor technologies for the synthesis of APIs in selected therapeutic areas. With evidence from secondary data, relevant technologies and criteria are identified, and their relative importance is evaluated in a semi-quantitative fashion following the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) principles, ensuring that findings are intelligible to both engineers and managers. The proposed empirical work enriches previous conceptual frameworks predicated on volume-variety considerations. Specifically, findings suggest that microreactor technologies outperform alternatives all things considered. However, PSC managerial considerations introduce nuances in specific therapeutic areas e.g., antivirals where a tension between complex chemistry and the need for flexibility in unit operations may favour batch manufacturing. For analgesics the need to exploit the existing manufacturing base whilst addressing inventory reduction favour technologies that incorporate elements of batch and CM. The proposed analysis is in line with real-world decisions that global medicines manufacturers are increasingly facing, as governments seek to develop local health countermeasures to the COVID-19 pandemic in the absence of detailed informatio