Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Strategies

Summary

Introduction

Ideally drug supply should be a simple and transparent chain that connects the manufacturer and patient in as few steps as possible, however in practice it can be a highly circuitous one that includes several intermediaries before reaching a pharmacy. This increases the risk of counterfeit drugs and facilitates parallel trade, both leading to lost sales for the manufacturer.

Scope

An overview of the drug supply chain in Europe and the US. Identification of the key players in the drug supply chain. Coverage of recent trends and key events in the distribution industry. Analysis of the impact of new events on the key stakeholders.

Highlights

With the trend towards market expansion, higher drug volumes must be transported further, necessitating the use of logistics coordination on a global scale. As distribution needs increase, the knock-on effect of state-enforced cost-containment strategies are reducing already tight margins, forcing many stakeholders to change their strategy. Manufacturers are looking to gain greater control over the drug supply chain, to safeguard it against counterfeit entry, but also to regulate drug supply and therefore limit diversion. The most progressive events have occurred in the UK, where Pfizer has implemented direct to pharmacy distribution, with other companies likely to follow suit. Competitive pressures have and will continue to drive consolidation along the supply chain, with vertical integration providing a means of extending control and limiting margin loss. A relaxation in pharmacy laws in Europe will lead to an increase of chains, while wholesaler-pharmacy and manufacturer-pharmacy combinations are becoming common.

Reasons to Purchase

Gain an understanding of the pharmaceutical supply chain in the US and Europe, and who the key players are. Become aware of new issues in the distribution industry, and how they influence the major stakeholders. Gain an insight into current trends in distribution, and how they are likely to change going forward.

Contents

• Chapter 1 Executive Summary
  • Scope of The Report
  • Key Findings
• Chapter 2 Supply Chain Overview
  • Why Worry about The Drug Supply Chain?
  • The US Supply Chain
  • Manufacturers Wield Most Power in Setting Drug Price in The US
  • Wholesalers Are The Primary Buyers for Manufacturers
  • Pharmacies Are at The Interface of The Supply Chain and Patient
  • Pharmacy Benefits Managers - A Crucial Link in The US Supply Chain
  • The UK Supply Chain
  • Drug List Price Is Regulated by The Pprs
  • Wholesalers Compete to Acquire Pharmacist Contracts
  • The Government Reimburses Pharmacists at List Price
  • Differences in Drug Distribution between The US and Eu
• Chapter 3 Drug Diversion
  • The Grey Market in The US
  • The Illegal Importation of Drugs into The US
  • Parallel Trade in Europe
  • Counterfeits Enter UK via Parallel Trade Channels
  • Eu Focus on Parallel Trade and Counterfeit Drug Link
  • Strategies to Tackle Diversion
  • Greater Regulation of The Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
  • E-Pedigree Roll out in 2009 in California
  • Drug Supply Restrictions Are Effective but Can Lead to Domestic Shortfalls
  • Dual Pricing Initiatives
  • Tighter Supply Chains - Direct to Pharmacy Distribution Is Gaining Traction
  • Gsk Sets The Ball Rolling in The UK
  • Pfizer Goes Further by Introducing Exclusive Distribution
  • Sanofi-Aventis and Astrazeneca Introduce Dtp in The UK
  • Implications of The Dtp Scheme for The UK
• Chapter 4 The Supply Chain Going Forward
  • Market Expansion
  • Intellectual Property and European Union Expansion
  • Drug Registration
  • Parallel Trade in The European Union
  • Parallel Trade Implications beyond The Eu
  • Manufacture Outsourcing
  • More Complex Drugs with More Complex Distribution Needs
  • The Trend towards Consolidation
  • Wholesale Industry under Increasing Pressure
  • Infiltration of The Pbm Business
  • Innovators Fail to Make Pbm Acquisitions A Success
  • Cvs and Caremark Merger
  • Wal-Mart's Foray into Pharmacy Benefit Management
  • Growth in Private Label Brands
  • Relaxation in Pharmacy Outlet Laws
  • Differences between US Versus Eu Distribution
  • US Retailers Leave Wholesalers with Little Net Margin
  • US Manufacturers Subsidize Distribution
  • European Retailers Have Less Power
• Chapter 5 Bibliography
  • Publications and Online Articles
  • Datamonitor Resources
  • Appendix
  • Abbreviations
  • Exchange Rates
• List of Tables
  • Table 1: Exchange Rates, 2007
• List of Figures
  • Figure 1: Drug and Monetary Flow in The US Supply Chain
  • Figure 2: The UK Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
  • Figure 3: UK Retail Pharmacies, 2006
  • Figure 4: US Pharmaceutical Grey Market
  • Figure 5: Drivers and Strategies to Tackle, Drug Diversion
  • Figure 6: UK Pharmaceutical Distribution Channels
  • Figure 7: Expansion of Wholesaler Services
  • Figure 8: Factors Impacting on The Future Drug Supply Chain
  • Figure 9: Consolidation within The Supply Chain