Ensuring a Safe and Robust Supply of Pharma Materials

ABSTRACT

In the short term, Sebastian Tomlin, logistics manager at Charles River, a contract research and development firm, says that time and investment in supply chain management and logistics operations are needed to expedite the movement of materials during this crisis. "By far, a cradle-to-grave supply chain with local starting materials, ingredients, and excipients for essential drug production will help to support resilient supply chains by removing the reliance on imports and driving new investments in green chemistry and Pharma 4.0 efforts." Maintaining a high safety stock of critical APIs and other materials is imperative, says Vincent Colicchio, vice-president and Head-Supply Chain and External Manufacturing for North America Generics at Dr. Reddy's Laboratories. Having a stringent process for qualifying material suppliers is also important, according to Hamilton Lenox, senior vice-president, business development at LGM Pharma, an API sourcing and supply chain management company.