Supply Chain Structures and Processes in the Pharmaceutical Industry/Current models and trends in a changing environment

Supply Chain Structures and Processes in the Pharmaceutical Industry/Current models and trends in a changing environment A long time pharmaceutical manufacturers designed their supply chains with regard to two major objectives: supply availability and supply reliability. In line with an increasing cost awareness and varying market characteristics this changes more and more. Besides supply availability and supply reliability, cost efficiency and the ability to respond become increasingly important. Within a study among seven global players from the pharmaceutical industry, the BWI Center for Industrial Management of ETH Zurich (Switzerland) was able to analyze to what extent this development already affects current supply chain structures and processes. Moreover, the study indicates the future measures that supply chain managers foresee in order to improve cost efficiency and responsiveness.