Standards-based systems can modernise pharma supply chain

The supply chain for pharma and healthcare sectors needs to be modernised, according to one expert.

The supply chains for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors can be improved and modernised using standards-based systems.

That is according to an industry expert, who explained that the operational efficiency of the supply chain is key to patient safety.

Roger Lamb, healthcare sector manager for GS1 UK, wrote on Pharmiweb.com that using these systems allows for better monitoring and controlling, from manufacturing through to patients.

"This means that the harmful impact that mistakes or interference in the supply chain can have is reduced," he said. "Organisations throughout the supply chain are increasingly getting the benefits of a transparent and manageable supply chain, but there is still a lot to do."

Mr Lamb said that technology has a big part to play, with things such as 2D barcodes and RFID helping to improve the traceability of medicines dramatically.

One area of the pharma supply chain currently making waves is in Asia Pacific, which Envirotainer estimates will account for nearly a third of global pharmaceutical sales by 2016.